Gouty arthritis is a serious chronic disease affecting the joints. The trigger for its development is a violation of the normal process of excretion of uric acid salts. Their excess is deposited in the form of crystals, which causes a pathology, accompanied by inflammation and a number of other unpleasant symptoms.
The disease must be eliminated. And now it will be about how and what to treat gout on the big toe (where it occurs most often), doctors recommend.
Causes and symptoms
You should start by discussing them. The key symptom of gout on the big toe, the photo of which is unpleasant, is the presence of an inflammatory focus that develops in the joint. This phenomenon in medicine is called an attack or attack.
Its development begins due to the fact that crystals of uric acid salt enter the articular cavity from tissues. The causes that are prerequisites for the occurrence of the disease can be identified in the following list:
- The use of drugs with a pronounced diuretic effect.
- Surgery.
- Injury.
- Excessive load exerted on the joint (long training, running, wearing uncomfortable shoes).
- Alcohol abuse.
The inflammatory focus most clearly manifests itself in the evening or at night. In all cases, this process is accompanied by severe pain, which can spread to the entire limb.
As the disease develops, there is hyperemia and swelling of the soft tissues, as well as a change in bone tissue in the area of the diseased joint.
The attack is usually accompanied by increased body temperature, headaches, weakness, chills, and the formation of “nodules” (tofuses) protruding through the skin in the area of the auricles, elbow joints, and Achilles tendons. Sometimes they spontaneously open - the contents of the whitish color and curdled consistency come out.
An acute attack subsides in 2-3 days. In severe cases, it can last up to a week. The next usually occurs over a period that can vary from 6 months to 2 years. If proper therapy is absent, then this time will begin to shorten.
Butadion
Now we can talk about how to treat gout on the big toe. The exact answer to this question can only be given by a doctor, based on the results of the examination and diagnosis. But there are drugs that are prescribed to most patients
"Butadion" is a non-steroidal painkiller, which includes sodium carmellose, propylene glycol, methyl parahydroxybenzoate and other active substances that provide its therapeutic effect.
The tool is effective for joint diseases of various etiologies - it is prescribed even for thrombophlebitis, osteoarthritis, articular rheumatism and polyarthritis. Symptoms of gout on the toe of the toe also help to quickly eliminate. “Butadion” has analgesic and antipyretic effects, creating an impulse for the formation of interferons. It is rapidly absorbed, and therefore the effect comes quickly.
It is recommended to apply to the affected area three times a day. Do not use the ointment for longer than 20 days. It is important to take into account contraindications - the drug cannot be used for people with trophic lesions, eczema and increased intolerance to the constituent substances.
Diclofenac
Continuing to talk about how to treat gout on the big toe, it is necessary to note this ointment. Diclofenac is also an anti-inflammatory drug of non-steroidal origin. The active substance is a derivative of phenylacetic acid. It also has an analgesic effect.
Pretty quickly relieves (or at least weakens) pain, eliminates the swelling and stiffness that the patient can feel in the morning. Also contributes to increased range of motion.
It is recommended to use 3-4 times a day, but not longer than 14 days.
Fullflex
If a person is concerned about gout on the big toe, then he should pay attention to this ointment. "Fullflex" is a dietary supplement that effectively relieves pain and inflammatory reactions. Also, using it, it is possible to reduce swelling of soft tissues, remove salts of uric acid, as well as prevent infection.
The listed effects are achieved due to the substances contained in the composition - these are extracts of white willow bark and fragrant martinia. The volatile, glycosides and bioflavonoids that form them are distinguished by astringent, antimicrobial, decongestant and anti-inflammatory actions.
Their effectiveness is complemented by horse chestnut, eucalyptus, pendulum birch, fir, juniper, as well as vitamins E and P.
"Voltaren emulgel"
Another remedy with diclofenac in the composition, which you need to take into account if you want to know how to treat gout on the big toe.
It has the same effect as the drug of the same name, but due to the water-alcohol base it still has cooling and soothing effects.
You can use it twice a day, but not longer than 14 days in a row. Not recommended for people with a tendency to asthma, rhinitis, skin rashes. If there is a violation of the integrity of the skin, then it is also worthwhile to refrain from using the gel for a while.
Tablet formulations
They also need to be taken to eliminate the bumps on the big toe. Gout is a disease that needs to be addressed from all sides.
Here are the most commonly prescribed tablets that your doctor prescribes:
- Nemulex. The most gentle and safe drug from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Its more famous counterparts are Aponil, Nimesil and Nimulide. The medication effectively fights against neurological ailments and various joint diseases.
- Colchicine. This remedy quickly relieves gouty attacks, and the composition mainly includes plant components. This drug regulates the solubility and further migration of urates, which reduces the concentration of urea in the blood.
- Ibuprofen. A powerful tool that has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects. Another drug exhibits antiplatelet activity and lowers temperature.
- "Indomethacin." This remedy is also often prescribed if the patient has gout on the big toe. It not only eliminates the unpleasant phenomenon, but also removes redness and reduces the intensity of pain.
In addition to these funds, Ibuprom, Ivalgin and Bofen can also be used.
Surgical intervention
Sometimes people wonder what to do with gout of the big toe, too late. A neglected disease is characterized not only by bone tenderness, but also by the spread of tofuses (nodules) mentioned at the beginning throughout the body.
They begin to accumulate in the renal structures, as a result of which the urinary system is disrupted. And this is fraught not only with infection of the urinary tract and inflammation of the kidneys, but also with urolithiasis. However, even this condition is not the most sad consequence.
If the urinary system is involved in the process, kidney failure may begin to develop. And this is fraught with arterial hypertension.
Surgical intervention can help in the following cases:
- Tofuses are localized atypically, due to which intraarticular effusion accumulates.
- The uric acid crystals are too large.
- Fistulas begin to form.
How to cure gout on the big toe and eliminate the consequences? It is necessary to agree to the operation, although it is not a guarantee of getting rid of the disease.
A huge drawback is that such surgical procedures are performed in a very small number of Russian clinics. Therefore, most patients who decide to undergo surgery are sent to Germany or Israel, where such treatment is combined with plasmophoresis hemosorption.
Compresses
Alternative treatment of gout on the big toe is quite common. Compresses are the easiest events to perform.
It is worth highlighting the three most popular recipes:
- It is necessary to mix the contents of one bubble of triple cologne with the composition of two bottles of alcohol valerian tincture. Then remove this liquid in a dry, dark place for 1-2 days. After the time has elapsed, use - moisten a cotton pad liberally in liquid and apply to the affected area overnight. Be sure to wrap with a film and tie with a bandage. It is recommended to do so for 2 weeks.
- In an enamel bowl, mix 500 grams of iodized salt and a liter of clean water. Boil the composition until all the liquid has evaporated. In the salt that remains, put 200 grams of petroleum jelly (you can replace it with melted pork or chicken fat). Mix well, and then use the ointment, applying it to the sore spot. You also need to wrap with a film and a bandage. Apply compresses until the ointment runs out.
- Make minced meat from any raw fish. Attach it to a sore spot and wrap it well with cling film, hold for 2-3 hours. Put on a woolen sock. Do so for at least 10 days.
It is not prohibited, by the way, to combine these funds. When the course of treatment with one method ends, you can start using another.
Baths
Many people make them with gout on the big toe. And rightly so - steaming the legs promotes intense sweating, during which toxic substances are eliminated from the body and metabolic processes normalize. However, it is worth doing baths only in the remission stage, so as not to provoke complications.
It is highly recommended to use the following components for the preparation of healing broths, in which the legs will be steamed in the future:
- Sage.
- Mylnianka.
- Leaves of black currant.
- Juniper.
- Black elderberry.
- Fern.
- Nettle.
- Chamomile.
- The roots of angelica.
Preparing any broth elementary. You need to take 5-6 tbsp. l dry component, pour a liter of boiling water and cook for half an hour over low heat. You will get a strong, saturated broth that needs to be poured into a container for taking a bath, and make up for the missing volume with warm water.
Regularly performing this procedure will help to stop painful manifestations, remove redness of the skin and swelling, improve circulation, and also relax muscles and ligaments.
Decoctions and tinctures
So, what gout looks like on the big toe and how to treat it with medication is clear. But since we are talking about folk remedies, we must also discuss which healing elixirs from natural ingredients can be taken orally to relieve symptoms.
Well prepared means prepared according to the following recipes:
- A few fresh green cones of ordinary spruce need to pour two glasses of boiling water, and then leave the mass in a dark, cool place overnight. In the morning you can take it - you need to drink half a glass three times a day between meals.
- Pour two glasses of cold water into enameled dishes and put 3-4 bay leaves there. Bring the liquid to a boil, then simmer another 5-7 minutes at minimum heat without a lid. Then, for 3-4 hours, insist the resulting elixir. When it cools down, you can use it - a glass twice a day.
- Put a few twigs of the string in a cup and pour boiling water. Let it brew for 20 minutes, and then strain and drink. To make such tea several times a day.
- A glass bottle with a wide neck is filled with lilac flowers. You do not need to ram them. Then pour vodka (200 ml) and leave for 2 weeks to leave in a dark place. Every day you need to shake the container. After time, you can take - three times a day, 2-3 ml for 1-2 hours before eating.
- Mix willow bark, horsetail and a leaf of birch bark (4 tbsp each), black elderberry and nettle leaves (2 tbsp each), buckthorn, juniper berries, blue cornflower, calendula and dried peony flowers (each 1 tbsp. L.). Then grind all the ingredients, select 1.5 tbsp. l and pour a liter of boiling water. For an hour, insist, and then drink - half a glass 1 time per hour.
- Pour a glass of boiling water 1 tsp. crushed red madder root. Insist for several hours. Drink volume in two doses - day and evening.
- Pour 1 liter of water into the pan and put 2-3 medium-sized onions in there, without peeling. It is only necessary to wash and clean them from the roots. Cook them 40-50 minutes. After the time has passed, strain. This broth should be drunk three times a day 30 minutes before a meal.
They say that if you regularly use these funds, then gout and a bump on the big toe will pass in a few months, and the result will begin to appear after a couple of weeks.
Diet
It is very important to follow proper nutrition for gout of the big toe. This, one can say, is the main method of treatment and prevention of relapse.
The menu is made by the doctor, taking into account the presence of concomitant diseases and the patient, as well as his individual characteristics. But be that as it may, in any case, nutrition with gout of the big toe is aimed at eliminating elevated levels of uric acid.
The list of prohibited products is impressive. Here's what you have to give up:
- Butter baking.
- Offal.
- Canned food.
- Meat of young animals.
- Cooked, uncooked and smoked sausages.
- Sausages, sausages.
- Fatty pork meat.
- Caviar.
- Fried, smoked, salted, oily fish.
- Spicy and salty cheese.
- Sorrel.
- Mushrooms.
- Beans, beans, lentils, soy.
- Raspberries, figs, grapes.
- Mushroom, fish, meat broth.
- Soups with spinach, beans, sorrel.
- Mayonnaise and any sauces.
- Fat and margarine.
- Cakes, cakes, other similar confectionery.
- Any alcohol, strong tea, coffee, cocoa.
- Spicy spices, horseradish, mustard, pepper.
Eating all of these foods negatively affects the health of the big toe joint. Gout will only progress.
Limited products include the following products:
- Cauliflower.
- Turnip.
- Parsley.
- Chives.
- Pepper.
- Celery.
- Asparagus.
- Spinach.
- Plums.
- Tomato juice.
- Honey.
These products can be consumed in small quantities at times of remission.
Of course, there are many restrictions, but the list of allowed products is not small. It includes:
- White and black bread, inedible pastries.
- Chicken, turkey, rabbit. Take 2-3 times a week in an amount up to 170 g.
- Shrimp, squid, trout, salmon, crustaceans and sea cephalopods. It is recommended to boil the fish, and drain the broth.
- Natural yogurts, nonfat milk, cottage cheese, sour cream, unsalted cheese. But you should not get involved in these products. Milk, for example, is best diluted when cooking. Only fill in finished products with butter.
- The eggs. You can 1 pc. per day in any form.
- Cereals. All but legumes are allowed. It is advisable to eat them every day in large quantities.
- Vegetables: pumpkin, tomatoes, dill, eggplant, corn, zucchini, beets, cucumbers, onions, cabbage, carrots, potatoes.
- Fruits and berries: pears, oranges, apricots, tangerines, strawberries, green apples, lemons, dates, persimmons and dried fruits (excluding raisins).
- Vegetarian borscht, cereals with milk, salads from pickled and fresh vegetables (you can make caviar from them, by the way), sour cream and homemade milk sauces.
- Ice cream, non-chocolate candies, jam, marshmallows, marshmallows.
- Vegetable oils. Animal fats are completely excluded.
- You can eat nuts - pistachios, almonds, hazelnuts, and even pine and walnut.
- Of the spices allowed cinnamon, citric acid, bay leaf and vanilla.
- You can drink green, fruit and berry teas, juice, herbal decoctions, fruit drinks, compotes, chicory, rose hip drinks.
- Fish fat. This, of course, is not a key component of the diet, but a very valuable supplement, a real storehouse of vitamins that the body of a person suffering from gout needs.
Diet-supplemented treatment for gout of the big toe joint will be more effective than just therapy. As the symptoms ease, the list of allowed foods can be expanded - if the doctor sees progress, he will allow eating something that was previously prohibited.