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Gout is a medical condition wherein a specific part (or parts) of your body has grown swollen or is severely affected by arthritis . Common symptoms besides being swollen are reddening of the skin and a hot sensation on the affected part . Big toes are most commonly affected by gout, but it can affect other parts of the body (mostly joints) as well .

High uric acid levels usually cause gout, as high acid levels can cause the blood to crystallize, forming it into a single mass which is then deposited to the affected part . The high uric acid levels are then caused by several causes :

- Alcoholism, or addiction to alcoholic beverages

- Consuming red meat and oily foods

- Dehydration

- Medications that might stir the uric acid levels

- Hereditary, or by race (The British and Black Americans are mostly affected by gout)

Should you experience a hot and itchy sensation on the affected part, you should seek help from a doctor . It is best to consult a rheumatologist, as they are knowledgeable about gout and arthritis, which is the main cause of gout . But if you don’t have access to a hospital or a doctor, you should follow these first-aid treatments :

- Make sure that the swollen joint is aptly raised. Raise it to at least chest level if possible .

- An ice pack can help you cool down the hot and itchy sensation of the affected area . This helps in keeping the affected part from being swollen as well .

- Keep yourself hydrated . It is important that you drink 8 glasses per day so that you won’t get dehydrated immediately.

- Cherry juice can be a good first-aid for gout. Drinking cherry juice can reduce the severity and frequency of gout attacks.

- For perfect gout treatment, take your medicines for arthritis regularly .

Symptoms and other signs of gout should disappear within a week or two . If the symptoms are still noticeable, make haste and go to a hospital immediately, as this might not be gout anymore . Do not neglect this, as you might have more problems in the future if you continuously neglect it . If treated sooner or later, it might require surgery and several operations before it can be treated, so be wise and have it treated as soon as possible .