Gout episodes typically last for around 3 days with treatment and 14 days without treatment. Anti-inflammatory medications and steroid injections can reduce gout symptoms.

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by the buildup of uric acid in the joints. It’s characterized by sudden and severe pain in the joints, usually at the base of the big toe. Once the initial pain has passed, you can have lingering discomfort. The joint will also usually be inflamed and red, and you may have limited movement in that area.

A gout flare-up usually lasts for about 3 days with treatment and up to 14 days without treatment. If left untreated, you’re more likely to have more flare-ups, and it can lead to worsening pain and even joint damage.

Learn more about gout management and treatment, as well as when to contact a medical professional.

Gout is usually treated with anti-inflammatory medications, steroids, or colchicine,

Anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), may be helpful when you experience a flare-up. This medication can be purchased over the counter. Speak with a medical professional about whether it is right for you, as it can cause side effects in some people.

If a medical professional tells you that anti-inflammatories can help you, plan to have some on-hand. That way, if you have a flare, you can take it as soon as symptoms begin.

The anti-inflammatory medication should begin to work within 3 days. In the meantime, the following home remedies may help:

  • rest and elevate the affected foot (if the pain is in your foot)
  • keep the joint cool by applying an ice pack for up to 20 minutes
  • drink plenty of water
  • try not to let your bed clothes or sheets touch the joint at night, which may irritate it

If the flare-up has not subsided after 3 days, speak with a doctor. They may prescribe steroids, either in tablet form or as an injection.

If you have frequent flare-ups, your doctor will probably want to test your blood to check the level of uric acid. If you test positive for a high level of uric acid, then you may be prescribed allopurinol (Zyloprim, Lopurin) or febuxostat (Uloric), which can lower these levels if taken long term.

Colchicine (Colcrys) is also sometimes used as a preventive treatment.

There are also certain lifestyle choices that may reduce the duration of a gout flare-up, or help prevent it, including:

  • maintaining a healthy weight
  • avoiding alcohol as much as possible
  • drinking at least 2 liters of water per day
  • exercising regularly (be careful not to put excess pressure on joints)
  • stopping smoking, if you smoke (this is often difficult but a doctor can help you come up with a plan to quit)
  • taking vitamin C supplements

Uric acid is produced by the body when it breaks down a chemical called purine. It’s then eliminated from the body in urine. Purine is found in your body naturally, but it’s also found in many foods. Following a gout diet low in purine may help reduce the frequency of gout flare-ups.

A gout diet recommends you eat in a balanced and healthy way. Maintaining a healthy weight is also important, since being overweight increases your likelihood for gout flare-ups. Being overweight also increases the intensity of flare-ups and makes them harder to manage. Research has shown that losing weight, even without restricting purine intake, lowers uric acid levels.

If you have a history of gout, these foods may help control your uric acid levels and reduce your risk for flare-ups:

  • fruits, vegetables, and whole grains that provide complex carbohydrates
  • water
  • low-fat or fat-free dairy products
  • coffee
  • cherries
  • any food which is rich in vitamin C.

You should also limit or avoid these foods:

  • white bread
  • sugary snacks and drinks
  • red meats and fatty poultry
  • full-fat dairy products
  • liver and kidney
  • some seafood, including anchovies, herring, sardines, mussels, scallops, trout, haddock, mackerel and tuna
  • alcohol

Contact a doctor if you’re experiencing a sudden and intense pain in one of your joints for the first time. A diagnosis of gout is important so that you can know how to effectively treat it. Your doctor will give you advice on how to manage the condition should it return.

Seek immediate medical attention if you have a fever and a red or inflamed joint. This could be a sign of an infection, which may require treatment.

Making healthy lifestyle choices will not only help to manage the intensity of the pain of gout during a flare-up, but it can also prevent future flare-ups from occurring.

If you do have a flare-up, taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication as soon as your symptoms begin usually helps, as does resting and icing the affected joint.

Speak with your doctor if symptoms do not improve within 3 days of treatment or if this is your first time experiencing these symptoms.