Online Gout Flare Treatment in Florida for Adults
MD-only gout flare evaluation by secure video visit for adults in Florida, $49 flat-fee, no insurance required.
Gout is an inflammatory arthritis caused by uric acid crystal deposition in a joint. Flares often start suddenly, with severe pain, warmth, swelling, and redness, commonly affecting the big toe, midfoot, ankle, or knee. TeleDirectMD can help stable adults with a suspected gout flare when symptoms fit a typical pattern and there are no red flags for infection or injury.
- $49 flat-fee visit
- MD-only evaluation and prescribing
- Guideline-based approach to gout flare treatment
- Clear safety screening for septic arthritis red flags
- Adults only, you must be in Florida at the time of the visit
Last reviewed by Parth Bhavsar, MD on 2025-12-24.
Clinician note: TeleDirectMD care is MD-only and evidence-based. For gout, we focus on treating flares when the presentation is typical and stable. If symptoms suggest joint infection, fracture, or a new unexplained monoarthritis, urgent in-person evaluation is recommended.
What We Review During Your Visit
- Which joint is affected and how quickly symptoms started
- History of gout, uric acid problems, or prior flares
- Fever, chills, skin breaks, or infection risk factors
- Kidney disease, ulcers, blood thinners, and medication safety
Adults only (18+). Fever, rapidly worsening swelling, severe pain with inability to bear weight, or a hot swollen joint without prior gout history can be septic arthritis and needs urgent in-person care.
Quick Answers
- Gout flares usually start suddenly with severe joint pain, swelling, warmth, and redness
- Telehealth is best for typical recurrent flares without fever or injury
- First-line flare treatments include NSAIDs, colchicine, or oral steroids when appropriate
- A hot swollen joint with fever can be septic arthritis and needs urgent in-person evaluation
- You must be physically located in Florida at the time of the visit
What Is a Gout Flare?
Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis where uric acid crystals trigger a strong immune response in a joint. Flares often peak quickly and can be extremely painful. Common triggers include dehydration, alcohol, high purine intake, recent illness, and certain medications.
TeleDirectMD can help stable adults with a suspected flare by confirming the pattern, screening for red flags, and prescribing an evidence-based flare regimen when appropriate.
Gout Flare Symptoms and Red Flags
Telehealth is best for typical gout flares. This table highlights when video care may be appropriate and when urgent in-person evaluation is safer.
| Finding | What it suggests | Telehealth appropriate? | Red flag requiring urgent in-person care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sudden severe pain, redness, warmth in a familiar joint pattern | Typical recurrent gout flare | Often yes | First-ever hot swollen joint without prior gout evaluation |
| Big toe, midfoot, ankle, or knee involvement | Common gout locations | Often yes | Severe pain after trauma or inability to bear weight after injury |
| No fever, no chills, no skin break over the joint | Lower infection concern | Often yes | Fever, chills, rapidly worsening swelling, or systemic illness |
| Improves with prior gout medications in past flares | Supports gout pattern | Often yes | Immunosuppression, prosthetic joint, or uncontrolled diabetes with a hot joint |
| Multiple joints affected during a flare | Possible gout, other inflammatory arthritis | Sometimes | Severe weakness, confusion, chest pain, or shortness of breath |
What Else Can Look Like Gout?
- Septic arthritis: infected joint, often severe pain with fever or systemic illness, requires urgent aspiration and antibiotics.
- Cellulitis: skin infection can mimic joint redness and warmth.
- Pseudogout (CPPD): crystal arthritis that often affects the knee or wrist.
- Traumatic injury: sprain, fracture, or tendon injury after a twist or fall.
- Inflammatory arthritis: rheumatoid arthritis or reactive arthritis in selected cases.
When a Florida Video Visit Is Appropriate vs. When to Go In-Person
When a Video Visit Is Appropriate
- Adult 18+ located in Florida at the time of the visit
- Typical gout flare pattern with sudden onset and familiar joint involvement
- No fever or chills
- No recent injury causing concern for fracture
- No concern for joint infection or rapidly spreading redness
- Medication safety confirmed for your history
Red Flags Requiring In-Person or ER Care
- Fever, chills, or feeling severely ill with a hot swollen joint
- First-time monoarthritis with severe pain and swelling
- Recent injury, deformity, or inability to bear weight after trauma
- Rapidly spreading redness up the leg or severe skin tenderness
- Prosthetic joint, immunosuppression, or concern for sepsis
Gout Flare Treatment Options
TeleDirectMD focuses on evidence-based gout flare management for stable adults. Treatment selection depends on kidney function, stomach ulcer history, blood thinners, and other medications. We also review hydration and trigger reduction.
Supportive Care
- Rest the affected joint and avoid weight-bearing when possible
- Ice packs 15 minutes up to 4 times daily
- Hydration and avoidance of alcohol during the flare
- Avoid high purine foods during acute symptoms
Medication Table
| Medication | Dose | Duration | When used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naproxen | 500 mg by mouth BID | 5 days to 7 days | First-line flare option if kidney function and GI risk allow |
| Indomethacin | 50 mg by mouth TID | 3 days to 5 days, then taper to 25 mg TID as improving | Alternative NSAID option for selected patients when appropriate |
| Colchicine | 1.2 mg by mouth once, then 0.6 mg by mouth 1 hour later | Day 1 | Best if started early in a flare, medication interaction screening required |
| Colchicine | 0.6 mg by mouth once daily | 3 days to 7 days | Continuation after loading dose for selected patients when appropriate |
| Prednisone | 40 mg by mouth once daily | 5 days | Option when NSAIDs or colchicine are not suitable, caution in uncontrolled diabetes |
TeleDirectMD does not prescribe controlled substances. A hot swollen joint with fever can be septic arthritis and needs urgent in-person evaluation. If symptoms are atypical or worsening, we prioritize safety and direct you to urgent care or the ER.
Home Care and Return to Work
Many gout flares improve within several days once anti-inflammatory treatment starts. Return to work depends on the affected joint and job duties. If walking is painful, you may need rest and limited standing until symptoms improve.
- Avoid alcohol during the flare and hydrate consistently
- If you are on long-term urate lowering therapy, do not stop it during an acute flare unless your prescriber instructed you to
- Seek urgent evaluation if fever develops or the joint becomes rapidly more swollen or painful
What to Expect From Your TeleDirectMD Gout Visit in Florida
TeleDirectMD provides adult-only, MD-only virtual care by secure video. Visits are $49 as a flat cash fee with no insurance required. If your symptoms fit a typical gout flare and telehealth is appropriate, we can send an electronic prescription to your preferred pharmacy in Florida.
Adults only. You must be physically located in Florida at the time of your visit.
Florida Gout Flare Telehealth FAQ
Can TeleDirectMD treat a gout flare in Florida by video visit?
Yes, for selected stable adults located in Florida with a typical gout flare pattern and no red flags for joint infection or injury.
How do I know if my flare could be an infection instead of gout?
Fever, chills, feeling very ill, rapidly worsening swelling, or a first-time hot swollen joint can be septic arthritis. These situations need urgent in-person evaluation.
What is the fastest way to calm a gout flare?
Early anti-inflammatory treatment can shorten flares. Options include NSAIDs, colchicine, or oral steroids depending on your medical history and medication safety screening.
Can you prescribe colchicine?
Sometimes. Colchicine can help when started early, but it requires careful screening for medication interactions and kidney or liver considerations.
Can I use ibuprofen for gout?
Some patients can use NSAIDs, but safety depends on kidney function, stomach ulcer history, bleeding risk, and other medications. Your MD will help choose a safer option.
Should I stop allopurinol during a flare?
Many patients are advised to continue long-term urate lowering therapy during an acute flare. If you are unsure, we review your regimen and help you decide safely.
What foods trigger gout flares?
Triggers vary, but common ones include alcohol, dehydration, and high purine foods. We review practical hydration and diet steps that reduce risk over time.
Can you provide a work note?
TeleDirectMD can usually provide a brief work note when medically appropriate as part of the $49 visit. We do not complete long-term disability, FMLA, or accommodation paperwork.
When should I go to urgent care or the ER?
Go urgently for fever with a hot swollen joint, severe illness, first-time monoarthritis, injury with inability to bear weight, or rapidly spreading redness.
Is TeleDirectMD available across Florida?
Yes. As long as you are physically located in Florida at the time of the video visit, you can be evaluated.
Do you prescribe opioid pain medication for gout?
No. TeleDirectMD does not prescribe controlled substances.