Pain Relief From Gout

When that sharp pain returns and you have the glaring red skin highlighting the aching area, you know it can be only one thing: gout. You can go to a doctor and get some fast-acting, but expensive, medication to help deal with the pain--but what about at home? There are several tried-and-true methods of controlling pain associated with gout that require only a trip to the grocery store or pharmacy.

Medicinal remedies

• According to Gout Pal's website, nearly 28 percent of almost 1,900 people surveyed said they use ibuprofen as their main source of pain relief from gout. This will reduce the inflammation around the affected area and dull a portion of the pain.

Traditional Remedies

• According to Gout Pal's website, 21 percent of the people they surveyed in spring 2009 said they use cherry juice as their preferred treatment. Consuming cherries or drinking cherry juice has been proven to reduce the inflammatory effects of gout and, thus reduces the pain. Take two servings, about a cup each, of cherries or cherry juice a day for the best results, continuing for the duration of the gout attack. Another traditional remedy is ice packs and alternating hot and cold sources on the affected area. This will dull the sting of gout and, with the alternating method, slowly reduce the inflammation. Another source of relief is soaking the affected area in an Epsom salt bath for a half hour or so. A castor oil pack has been known to reduce the pain of gout. Start by soaking a piece of cloth in castor and then wring out the excess. Wrap it around the affected area and then compress it with plastic wrap. Apply heat with a heating pad or a hot water bottle for about an hour, repeating twice a day for maximum effectiveness.

Mixing It Up

• A charcoal and flax seed poultice can be smeared across the affected area and left overnight. To make it, combine a 1/2 cup of activated charcoal and 3 tablespoons of finely ground flax seed. Add warm water a little at a time until you've created a spreadable paste. Put this paste on the affected area and cover with cloth and plastic wrap to hold it. Change the dressing every four hours or leave on overnight. Be careful though, as this paste will stain clothing and sheets.

  Another option is a black-bean broth that you eat. To make the broth, rinse 7 ounces of black beans and cover with two quarts of water in a pan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and set a kitchen timer for 90 minutes. When finished, strain the liquid--you'll be keeping it--and throw out the black beans. Let the broth cool and drink about 1/4 of it several times a day to decrease the effects of gout. This can also be used as a daily drink to help prevent a gout inflammation.