How to Ease a Gout Attack at Home

Gout attacks can cause sudden, intense pain in your joints, typically the big toe. While your doctor can prescribe medications to help ease gout pain, there are a few things you can do at home to help relieve symptoms and prevent future attacks.

1. Rest the affected joint. Avoid walking or putting pressure on the affected joint as much as possible. Propping up your foot or hand can help reduce swelling.

2. Apply ice. Applying an ice pack to the affected joint can help reduce swelling and pain. Ice the area for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day.

3. Elevate the affected joint. Elevating the affected joint can help reduce swelling and pain. Prop up your foot or hand on a pillow or cushion so it's higher than your heart.

4. Take over-the-counter medications. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or naproxen (Aleve), can help relieve pain and inflammation. Follow the dosing instructions on the medication label.

5. Apply a topical pain reliever. Topical pain relievers, such as creams or gels containing lidocaine or menthol, can help provide temporary relief from pain. Follow the directions on the product label.

6. Drink plenty of fluids. Drinking plenty of fluids can help flush out uric acid from your body and prevent future gout attacks. Aim to drink eight to ten glasses of water per day.

7. Avoid alcohol and sugary drinks. Alcohol and sugary drinks can increase your uric acid levels and trigger gout attacks. Avoid these beverages, especially during gout attacks.

8. See your doctor. If your gout attack does not improve with home treatment within a few days, see your doctor. He or she may prescribe medication to help relieve your pain and prevent future attacks.

9. Eat a gout-friendly diet. A gout-friendly diet can help reduce the frequency of gout attacks. This diet includes foods that are low in purines, which are substances that can break down into uric acid. Some examples of purine-rich foods to avoid include red meat, organ meats, seafood, and certain vegetables, such as asparagus and spinach.

10. Manage other medical conditions. Certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity, can increase your risk of gout attacks. Managing these conditions can help reduce your risk of gout.