Condition
Gout
A form of arthritis caused by uric-acid crystals, classically a sudden, intensely painful, red, swollen big-toe joint.
See a clinician
Some causes of gout need medical care, not self-treatment. Seek help for any of these:
- A hot, swollen joint with fever or chills — this can be a joint infection (septic arthritis), an emergency
- Many joints involved at once, or rapid joint destruction
- A first attack in an unusual joint or in a young person
What may help
Remedies studied for gout, ranked by strength of evidence.
- A Colchicine drug
Low-dose colchicine effectively treats an acute gout flare — as effective as high-dose, with far fewer side effects.
- C Tart cherry supplement
Regular cherry intake is linked to fewer recurrent gout flares, though no trial proves cause.
- D Vitamin C nutrient
Lowers serum urate only trivially and does not treat established gout; higher intake may modestly lower the risk of developing gout. The 2020 ACR guideline recommends against adding it for gout.
Acute flares are treated with anti-inflammatory drugs; low-dose colchicine is an effective, guideline-endorsed first-line option. Long-term, urate-lowering therapy (managed by a clinician) prevents recurrence. Cherries may help modestly; vitamin C does not meaningfully treat established gout.