Can teenagers get gout?

Can teenagers get gout?I'm a teen, and gout is pretty common in my family history. Recently, I've been having a lot of pain in my toes (kind of an itchy, burning sensation in the tips of my toes, especially the left big toe). My toe is red and swollen, and basically looks like my grandmother's feet did whenever she had a gout attack. Is it possible for me to have gout and if so, how can I manage it?
Naturally, I've tried several things, but icing my feet seems to work the best, and I've been laying off eating as much meat as I usually do, which seems to help a little. Is there anything else I can do?

Susan Yarrawonga
Gout in teenagers is uncommon but perhaps you are getting too much uric acid from red meat and other foods.

A more alkaline diet is probably what you need.

Brett
To answer your main question... yes teenagers can get gout. And although it is not as common as getting it when you are older, the rate of teenagers getting gout is increasing.

There is also a genetic component to gout, so the fact that it runs in your family is important. This does make it more likely that you might be experiencing gout.

The fact that you are describing the pain as being in your big toe, and that there is swelling and redness certainly sounds like a gout attack. The tingling / burning in your other toes could be just the swelling causing unusual feelings in your toes.

Icing your foot is a good idea, and keeping it elevated is recommended especially when the swelling is high. Other short term remedies include taking baking soda mixed with water, or a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. (Note the use of OR in that sentence - don't do both at once!). Vitamin C has also been shown to be beneficial.

In the long term, if this is gout you need to concentrate on getting your uric acid levels down. Meat is often blamed, but there are other things that cause problems. The high fructose level in fruit juice has recently been shown to be a contributor to gout for example.

Take the time to learn as much about gout as you can. And it would probably pay to see your doctor who can test for high uric acid levels.

All the best

Sped
I agree with everything Brett said, except for the ice.

Ice does bring temporary relief from swelling, but it actually makes gout worse in the long run. Uric acid is less soluble at lower temperatures. That's why it usually precipitates out of the blood in cold extremities like toes.

Even though ice seems to help in the short term, do not use it for gout. Cold temperatures encourage uric acid crystals to lodge in your toes. Keep the affected joint warm. People prone to gout should wear socks to bed.

The most important dietary consideration for controlling uric acid is hydration. Drink a lot of water. A lot as in 3 liters per day. You should drink enough water that your urine is colorless. Otherwise just eat a good diet, easy on meat and protein.

Give your answer to this question below! Gout - information, symptoms and treatments. Googout.info health information factsheet - advice on gout and its symptoms, causes and treatment, plus prevention through diet.

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