Uric acid is a product created when the body breaks down purines. Postmenopausal estrogen depletion can contribute to increasing the risk of this level in women. Although hyperuricemia is usually silent and does not cause symptoms. However, when gout or urate deposits have formed, some manifestations may appear in the skin and soft tissues.
Changes in skin and soft tissues that can occur in gout patients related to uric acid
| Expression | Characteristics and notes about uric acid |
|---|---|
| Seeds or subcutaneous masses | |
| Red, hot, swollen skin around the joints | When uric acid levels in the blood increase for a long time and uric acid deposition appears and damages the joints. It may appear in acute gout attack due to an inflammatory reaction with urate crystals. |
| Skin is tense, shiny around the joints | Swelling and inflammation around the joints during gout attacks can make the skin above tense and shiny. |
| Dry or flaky skin | In some people, the skin around the joint may peel off when the inflammation subsides. |
| Tophi causes tissue damage | When gout is prolonged and not well controlled, tophi masses can grow larger, affecting surrounding tissues or joints and sometimes causing skin damage. |
| Important notes |
Information is for reference only, not for medical diagnosis or treatment.
Appearance of particles or mass under the skin
Tophi are blocks formed by urate crystals deposited in tissues. This is often a manifestation of prolonged gout, especially when the disease is not well controlled.
Tophi may appear in fingers, toes, elbows, earlobes, or some other locations. Some cases may affect movement and daily life.
The appearance of tophi should not be simply seen as a sign of high uric acid but needs to be assessed by a doctor to determine the cause and condition of the disease.
Red, hot and swollen skin around the joints
In acute gout attacks, inflammatory reactions caused by urate crystals can cause severe pain, swelling, heat, and redness in the upper skin.
The big toe joint is a common location, but gout can also affect the feet, ankles, knees, hands, wrists, or elbows.
However, swollen, hot, and red joints do not only occur in gout. Some other diseases, including septic arthritis, can also cause similar symptoms and require medical evaluation.
The skin around the joint can be glowing
When gout attacks cause inflammation and swelling around the joints, the upper skin may become tense and shiny.
This manifestation is accompanied by inflammation in the joint and is not a specific sign to recognize that uric acid in the blood is high.
If a joint suddenly feels severe pain, swelling, heat or redness, patients should see a doctor to determine the cause instead of self-diagnosing gout.
Skin may peel off after a gout attack
In some cases, when the acute inflammation gradually subsides, the skin around the joint that has been affected may experience dryness or peeling.
However, peeling skin can originate from many different causes.
Tophi can cause tissue damage when the disease lasts.
If gout is not controlled for a long time, tophimas may develop and affect surrounding tissues or joints. In some cases, skin lesions on the tophimas can occur. This may be a manifestation associated with persistent high uric acid and prolonged urate deposition.
How to know high uric acid?
It is impossible to determine uric acid levels in the blood just by observing the skin or external symptoms.
A blood uric acid test is one of the methods used to assess urate levels. However, the results need to be reviewed by a doctor along with symptoms, medical history, and other necessary tests.
The information in the article is for reference only, not to replace the doctor's diagnosis or treatment. People with sudden joint pain, swelling, heat, redness or abnormal masses under the skin should see a doctor to determine the cause.
Quick Q&A corner on uric acid
Can uncontrolled hyperuricemia affect any other internal organs besides the joints and skin?
Yes. According to medicine, high and prolonged blood uric acid levels not only cause arthritis but can also increase the risk of kidney stones, contributing to impaired kidney function due to urate crystals deposited in the urinary tract.
