Online Gout Treatment in Texas for Adults (Acute Gout Flare)
MD-only gout flare evaluation by secure video visit for adults in Texas, $49 flat-fee, no insurance required.
A gout flare typically causes sudden, severe joint pain with redness, warmth, and swelling, often affecting the big toe, ankle, or knee. TeleDirectMD can help stable adults in Texas manage typical gout flares with evidence-based anti-inflammatory treatment when appropriate, while screening carefully for dangerous mimics like septic arthritis.
- $49 flat-fee visit
- MD-only evaluation and prescribing
- Guideline-based flare treatment options
- Clear screening for septic arthritis red flags
- Adults only, you must be in Texas at the time of the visit
Last reviewed by Parth Bhavsar, MD on 12/24/25.
Clinician note: A hot, swollen joint can be gout, but it can also be infection. Fever, inability to bear weight, rapidly worsening swelling, or severe illness require urgent in-person evaluation for joint infection concerns.
Typical Gout Flare Pattern
- Sudden severe pain, often overnight
- Redness, warmth, and swelling of one joint
- Big toe, ankle, midfoot, or knee common
- Often triggered by dehydration or dietary changes
Fever with a hot, swollen joint is an emergency until proven otherwise. Seek urgent in-person care.
Quick Answers
- Gout flares cause sudden severe joint pain with redness and swelling
- Early treatment helps reduce duration and severity
- NSAIDs, colchicine, or steroids may be options depending on medical history
- Fever or a very painful hot joint can indicate infection and needs urgent evaluation
- You must be physically located in Texas at the time of the visit
What Is an Acute Gout Flare?
Gout is caused by uric acid crystals depositing in a joint, triggering intense inflammation. Flares typically involve one joint at a time with sudden onset pain, warmth, and swelling. TeleDirectMD evaluates typical patterns, prior gout history, medications, kidney disease considerations, and red flags to ensure telehealth is safe.
If your presentation is not classic, or if infection is possible, in-person evaluation is safer because a joint may need aspiration and testing.
Gout Symptoms and Red Flags
Telehealth works best for typical gout flares in patients with known gout and a similar prior pattern. This table highlights when video care is appropriate and when urgent in-person evaluation may be safer.
| Finding | What it suggests | Telehealth appropriate? | Red flag requiring urgent in-person care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sudden severe pain, redness, swelling in big toe | Classic gout flare | Often yes | Fever with hot swollen joint |
| Prior gout history with similar flares | Recurrent gout | Often yes | First-ever flare with severe illness |
| One swollen joint with warmth and tenderness | Gout or other arthritis | Sometimes | Unable to bear weight or rapidly worsening swelling |
| Multiple joints involved | More severe flare or other cause | Sometimes for triage | Sepsis symptoms or severe weakness |
| Skin breaks or recent joint procedure | Higher infection risk | Usually no | Red streaking, pus, or systemic symptoms |
What Else Can Look Like Gout?
- Septic arthritis: joint infection, often with fever and severe pain, needs urgent care.
- Cellulitis: skin infection causing redness and warmth around a joint.
- Pseudogout: crystal arthritis affecting knees or wrists.
- Trauma: sprain or fracture can mimic swelling and pain.
- Inflammatory arthritis: rheumatoid arthritis flare or other systemic arthritis.
When a Texas Video Visit Is Appropriate vs. When to Go In-Person
When a Video Visit Is Appropriate
- Adult 18+ located in Texas at the time of the visit
- Known gout with a flare similar to prior episodes
- Single-joint flare without fever
- No recent joint surgery, injection, or open wound near the joint
- Able to tolerate oral medications and hydrate
Red Flags Requiring In-Person or ER Care
- Fever or severe systemic symptoms with a hot swollen joint
- First-ever flare or atypical location with severe illness
- Unable to bear weight or rapidly worsening swelling
- Recent joint surgery, injection, or skin wound near the joint
- Concern for sepsis or rapidly spreading skin infection
Gout Flare Treatment Options
The best flare treatment is early anti-inflammatory therapy. Options include NSAIDs, colchicine, or steroids depending on kidney function, anticoagulant use, GI history, and other medical factors. TeleDirectMD selects a safe option based on your history and current symptoms.
Supportive Steps
- Rest and elevate the affected joint
- Ice packs 10 minutes to 15 minutes several times daily
- Hydration and avoiding binge alcohol during a flare
- Avoid high-purine binge meals during the flare
Medication Table
| Medication | Dose | Duration | When used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naproxen | 500 mg by mouth BID | 5 days to 7 days | First-line flare option when kidney and GI risk allows |
| Indomethacin | 50 mg by mouth TID | 3 days to 5 days | Alternative NSAID option in selected patients |
| Colchicine | 1.2 mg by mouth once, then 0.6 mg 1 hour later | Day 1 | Early flare treatment when appropriate, especially within 36 hours |
| Colchicine | 0.6 mg by mouth once daily to BID | 3 days to 7 days | Continuation dosing when appropriate based on renal and interaction review |
| Prednisone | 40 mg by mouth once daily | 5 days | Option when NSAIDs or colchicine are not appropriate |
A hot swollen joint with fever can be septic arthritis. If infection is possible, urgent in-person care is needed. TeleDirectMD does not prescribe controlled substances.
Home Care and What to Expect
With early treatment, many flares improve within several days. If you are not improving, symptoms are worsening, or you develop fever, urgent evaluation is needed. Long-term gout prevention is separate from flare treatment and may require urate-lowering therapy through primary care or rheumatology.
- Rest and elevate the joint for 24 hours to 48 hours
- Use ice and hydration consistently
- Avoid heavy alcohol intake during flare
- Follow up if not improving within 48 hours or if symptoms worsen
What to Expect From Your TeleDirectMD Gout Visit in Texas
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 flare is appropriate for telehealth, prescriptions can be sent electronically to your preferred pharmacy in Texas.
Adults only. You must be physically located in Texas at the time of your visit.
Texas Gout Telehealth FAQ
Can TeleDirectMD treat gout flares online in Texas?
Yes. TeleDirectMD provides MD-only video visits for adults in Texas and can treat typical gout flares when appropriate, while screening carefully for infection red flags.
How can I tell if it is gout or an infection?
Fever, severe illness, rapidly worsening swelling, and extreme pain with inability to bear weight raise concern for joint infection and require urgent in-person evaluation.
What is the best medicine for an acute gout flare?
Options include NSAIDs, colchicine, or steroids. The safest choice depends on your kidney function, blood thinners, ulcer history, and medication interactions.
Does colchicine work best if started early?
Yes. Colchicine tends to work best when started early in the flare, ideally within about 36 hours of symptom onset.
Should I stop allopurinol during a gout flare?
In many cases, people already on urate-lowering therapy continue it during a flare. Your MD will review your situation and provide guidance.
What foods trigger gout?
Triggers vary, but binge alcohol intake, dehydration, and large servings of red meat or seafood can contribute for some people.
When should I seek urgent care?
Seek urgent care for fever with a hot swollen joint, rapidly worsening swelling, inability to bear weight, severe illness, or concern for infection.
Do you prescribe controlled pain medication for gout?
No. TeleDirectMD does not prescribe controlled substances.
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.
Is TeleDirectMD available across Texas?
Yes. As long as you are physically located in Texas at the time of the video visit, you can be evaluated.