Gout is a very painful type of inflammatory arthritis. It causes swelling, redness, and heat in the affected finger. These symptoms tend to come on suddenly. They peak within a day and gradually begin to improve on their own.
Gout symptoms can come and go as you experience periods of flare-ups and remission. A gout flare-up may last 1 to 2 weeks but then not come back for several months or years afterward.
During a physical exam, a doctor may notice significant red, shiny skin over the affected finger. Other signs of gout may include lumps containing uric acid that form around the affected joints, called tophi. Tophi are more likely to develop after recurring gout flares.
Share on PinterestGout in finger joints. | BSIP / Contributor/Getty ImagesCan you get gout in just one finger?Yes. It’s possible to he a flare-up in just one finger. Gout typically develops in one joint at a time, especially in joints at the ends of your limbs.
According to the American College of Rheumatology, 50% of new gout cases begin in the big toe, but it’s possible to develop gout in any joint in the body.