Gout generally attacks the joints in the legs, but it can also happen around the hand. Symptoms of gout in the hands can appear in the elbows, wrists, and fingers. If not treated, the symptoms of gout in the hands can worsen and make it difficult for the sufferer to move.
When gout flares up, the symptoms that appear, both in the hands and feet, usually last for a few days and then resolve on their own. However, if it causes bothersome complaints, such as severe pain or difficulty moving the affected joint, gout needs to be treated by a doctor.
Various Symptoms of Gout in Hands
Gout symptoms can occur when the amount of uric acid in the body rises too high. Here are some of the symptoms of gout in the hands that you need to know:
1. Fingers and wrists are swollen and painful
The most common symptoms of gout in the hands are swollen, red, and accompanied by pain, stinging, and heat. These symptoms can recur suddenly at night or in the morning when you just wake up.
When symptoms appear, people who experience them can find it difficult to do some activities, such as lifting or holding objects, opening doors, writing, or washing dishes.
2. Difficulty clenching hands
When the symptoms of gout in the hands continue and are prolonged, the person experiencing it may find it difficult to move the fingers or wrist normally. They also tend to have difficulty clenching their fists, so that their daily activities are disrupted.
3. Hard lumps on some fingers or elbows
Symptoms of gout in the hands can also be characterized by the appearance of lumps that feel hard and whitish in color on the skin. These lumps are called tofus. Tophus lumps usually appear on several fingers or elbows.
In most cases, these lumps are painless, but over time they can cause the hand to become swollen, tingling or numb, and difficult to move.
The appearance of tofus on the hands is caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals when the amount of uric acid in the body is too high and uncontrolled.
How to Overcome Gout Symptoms in Hands
To relieve symptoms of pain and swelling in the hands due to gout, you can put a cold compress on your hand for about 15 minutes, rest, take pain relievers, and drink lots of water.
In addition, to help relieve and prevent gout symptoms, you also need to limit foods that trigger uric acid rises or foods high in purines, such as offal and alcoholic beverages, and exercise regularly.
If you experience the symptoms of gout in the hands as mentioned above, especially if the complaint does not improve, gets worse, recurs frequently, and is accompanied by fever, you should immediately consult a doctor so that it can be treated properly.
Appropriate treatment is important to relieve symptoms and prevent recurrent attacks of gout. It is also important to prevent complications from gout, such as permanent joint damage or the formation of kidney stones.