The short explanation
Sudden severe pain, redness and swelling in the big toe joint, often starting at night, is a classic pattern of gout. Gout happens when uric acid crystals build up in a joint and cause intense inflammation. It is more common in women after menopause and in people with kidney problems, high blood pressure or those taking certain water tablets. However, a hot swollen joint with fever can also be caused by infection, which is more serious. So it is important to get checked the same day, so that a doctor can examine the joint, do blood tests and sometimes take fluid from the joint to find the cause.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Gout attacks usually settle with treatment, but they can come back. Doctors may check uric acid levels, kidney function and blood pressure after the attack settles.
- Alcohol, sugary drinks, red meat and some seafood can trigger gout in some people, as can dehydration.
- Raise the foot and keep the bedsheet off it while arranging care.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This answer cannot tell what is causing your joint pain. That needs an examination and tests.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Is this gout or could it be an infection?
- Do I need blood tests or fluid from the joint?
- What treatment will help now?
- How can I prevent future attacks?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Emergency — call 112 now
- Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have high fever, shivering, or feel very unwell or confused.
Get help the same day
- Get care the same day for a suddenly hot, red and swollen joint, especially with fever.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
Who wrote and reviewed this
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- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
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No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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