Signs and symptoms of gout are acute. They come without warning. A significant proportion of patients experience them at night. Severe pain in the joints – The patient may experience pain in his ankles, hands, wrists, knees or feet.

Commonly the big toe is affected (podagra). Many patients describe the affected areas as warm/hot. The fluid sacs that cushion tissue (bursae) may become inflamed (bursitis) – when this happens in the elbow it is called olcranon bursitis, while in the knee prepatellar bursitis. But it can gradually go away – A gout can last for over a week if left untreated – and then gradually goes away during the following week or two.

Itchy and peeling skin later – As the gout subsides the skin around the affected area may be itchy and peel. By the end of it the patient feels fine.

Redness and inflammation – The sufferer will most likely have tender, red and swollen joint(s) in the areas that experienced the most pain.
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