---
title: "Managing a gout flare"
canonical_url: https://www.gout-life.com/flares/
updated: 2026-10-29
medical_review: pending
---

# Managing a gout flare

> General educational information, not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

If you have diagnosed gout and this feels like your usual flare, follow the treatment plan your clinician prescribed. If this is your first episode, the symptoms are different, or you feel unwell, arrange assessment rather than assuming it is gout. Infection can occur alongside gout. [S03] [S05] [S08]

## Treat inflammation with the plan made for you

Colchicine, an NSAID, or a corticosteroid are common first-line options. The choice depends on kidney function, other medicines, stomach and cardiovascular risks, and your preferences. Use the prescribed directions. Do not combine anti-inflammatory medicines or repeat colchicine courses without clear instructions. [S02] [S03] [S10]

## Reduce pressure on the joint

Rest and protect the area. A wrapped cold pack may help; raising the limb can be comfortable. Keep blankets or tight footwear from pressing on a very tender joint. Avoid dehydration while respecting any fluid restriction. These measures support comfort alongside treatment. [S03] [S08]

## Keep long-term treatment and flare relief separate

An ordinary flare is usually not a reason to stop existing allopurinol. Flares can occur when urate-lowering treatment is started or adjusted. **A new rash or suspected drug reaction is different: stop allopurinol and seek prompt medical advice. Severe skin symptoms, swelling, breathing difficulty, or severe illness need emergency care.** [S02] [S09]

## Know when the plan needs review

Seek urgent help for fever, feeling unwell, or rapidly worsening symptoms. Infection can also occur without fever. Contact your care team if treatment is not helping or causes side effects; do not keep increasing doses yourself. [S03] [S08]

After the flare, review the diagnosis, urate results, treatment response, other conditions, and whether preventive treatment is appropriate. Getting through the pain matters. So does reducing the chance of facing it again. [S03]

## Related pages

- [When joint symptoms need urgent help](https://www.gout-life.com/symptoms/when-to-get-urgent-help/)
- [Home care and pain support](https://www.gout-life.com/flares/home-care-and-pain-support/)
- [Preparing a personal flare plan](https://www.gout-life.com/flares/personal-flare-plan/)
- [Colchicine](https://www.gout-life.com/treatments/colchicine/)
- [Urate-lowering therapy and prevention](https://www.gout-life.com/treatments/urate-lowering-therapy/)

## Sources

- [S02: 2020 American College of Rheumatology Guideline for the Management of Gout](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10563586/)
- [S03: NICE NG219: Gout, diagnosis and management, recommendations](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng219/chapter/Recommendations)
- [S05: 2023 EULAR recommendations on imaging in crystal-induced arthropathies](https://doi.org/10.1136/ard-2023-224771)
- [S08: NHS: Gout](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gout/)
- [S09: DailyMed: Allopurinol tablets prescribing information](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=e11e94b9-d897-48ce-9a80-aa6b8b5fde02&type=display)
- [S10: DailyMed: Colchicine tablets prescribing information](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=df1dd89a-a1b3-48e8-b0e8-ad71b4cb0c96&type=display)

[S02]: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10563586/ "2020 American College of Rheumatology Guideline for the Management of Gout"
[S03]: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng219/chapter/Recommendations "NICE NG219: Gout, diagnosis and management, recommendations"
[S05]: https://doi.org/10.1136/ard-2023-224771 "2023 EULAR recommendations on imaging in crystal-induced arthropathies"
[S08]: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gout/ "NHS: Gout"
[S09]: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=e11e94b9-d897-48ce-9a80-aa6b8b5fde02&type=display "DailyMed: Allopurinol tablets prescribing information"
[S10]: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=df1dd89a-a1b3-48e8-b0e8-ad71b4cb0c96&type=display "DailyMed: Colchicine tablets prescribing information"

## Educational scope

Gout Life provides general educational information, not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Talk with a qualified healthcare professional about symptoms, medicines, and treatment decisions. Do not delay medical care because of information on this site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number.