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Home Remedy for Gout in the Foot

Gout in the foot is a sudden attack of arthritis-like symptoms. Gout attacks often come on at night, leaving the foot and its joints severely afflicted with pain. Redness and swelling will appear on the foot and the area may even be hot to the touch. Caused by an elevation of uric acid in the body, a painful case of gout in the foot can last from a few days to two weeks. There are a few home remedies available for treating gout in the foot, but prolonged cases may require the intervention of your doctor.

  1. Common-Sense Treatments

    • Some simple home remedies that are little more than common-sense practices are a good place to start when first treating gout in the foot. Elevation of the leg, so that the foot is kept higher than your heart, is a good starting point. This should help with both swelling and the throbbing sensation that often accompanies gout in the foot.

      An ice pack applied to the foot while it is elevated may further help reduce the pain and swelling.

    OTC Treatment

    • Ibuprofen is a good choice of home remedies for gout in the foot. Since ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory medicine, it may help relieve some of the pressure that causes the pain. Don't mistake your pain relievers when treating for gout. Many people incorrectly assume that ibuprofen (typically sold under the name Advil) and acetominophen (typically sold under the name Tylenol) are the same kinds of pain relievers. Acetominophen, however, doesn't have nearly the anti-inflammatory properties an ibuprofen does. Aspirin should never be used, as it limits the excretion of uric acid, therefore often making the gout even worse.

    Dietary Option

    • Cherries are said to help patients with pain and swelling from gout in the foot. According to Dr. Agatha Thrash, MD, one of the authors of "The Doctor's Book of Home Remedies," a tablespoon of cherry concentrate each day, taken orally, can help alleviate the symptoms of gout. Patients may prefer to simply eat cherries. A dozen to upwards of half a pound have been noted by this same physician as having positive results when treating gout in the foot.

    Poultice

    • A poultice made of 1/2 cup of activated charcoal (found at many pharmacies and most health food stores) mixed with a half-dozen tablespoons of ground flaxseeds and warm water is the start of a homemade remedy that may draw the toxins (in this case uric acid) from the body. Charcoal has the ability to draw poisons or toxins that cause many different ailments. Mix the charcoal and ground flaxseed with just enough warm water to form a pasty consistency. Apply it to the foot, especially the joints. Cover with a large piece of cloth or a towel to hold it in place, and leave it on overnight.

    Soak

    • Activated charcoal added to a basin of hot water is another home remedy for gout in the foot---again using the properties from the charcoal to draw the uric acid out of the foot. Apply a half cup of the charcoal mixed with a little bit of water (enough to make a paste) to the foot, then lower the foot into the basin of very hot water. Soak for up to an hour.

    More Charcoal

    • Activated charcoal may also be taken by mouth as yet another home remedy for the treatment of gout in the foot. Mix 1/2 to 1 tsp. in a cup of water and drink. This may be repeated up to four times per day. This option can help reduce the uric acid in the bloodstream.

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