Gout is a special type of arthritis caused by an excess of uric acid in the blood, says the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Uric acid crystals tend to settle in joints in the lowest part of the body, which is why the big toe is most often affected. These crystals can cause the big toe joint to become red, warm and swollen, and can be extremely painful.
If you have these gout symptoms, your health care provider may withdraw some joint fluid and examine it under a microscope to look for crystals, explains the ADA. Medication and a special diet to lower the uric acid levels in the body are the main treatments.
Sometimes it is difficult to tell the difference between gout and an infection caused by bacteria. If you think you might have gout, see your health care provider. Repeated episodes of gout tend to damage the big toe joint and may even make it stiff. This can cause a high-pressure spot on your foot that is more prone to developing a callus and an ulcer.
Be sure to check your feet daily for any signs of redness or ulcerations.
Reprinted from 101 Foot-Care Tips for People with Diabetes, by Jessie H. Ahroni, PhD, ARNP, CDE. Copyright by the American Diabetes Association. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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