What is this pain in my foot?

Symptoms:

Your big toe is so swollen, hot and tender that it hurts when anything touches it. You’re a moderate drinker of beer and spirits.

Pain and stiffness in the joints of the feet, particularly the ankles and toes. Similar pain in the joints of the wrists and fingers, and it is worse in the morning.

You have a shooting, stabbing, burning pain that feels like a small stone is stuck under your foot, it gets worse when you stand or wear tight shoes.

It could be:

Gout where a chemical called uric acid forms crystals inside your joints, causing pain.

Rheumatoid

arthritis, an inflammation of the small joints of the hands and feet (and possibly elsewhere) which can be destructive and make you generally ill.

Metatarsalgia, caused by straining or injuring the bones in the bottom of your foot that connect your ankle to your toes. Running and being heavy are triggers.

Stop it:

See your doctor. Gout is initially treated with NSAIDs and possibly steroid tablets. Rest and raise your foot, apply an ice pack, drink lots of water and keep your bedding off your affected joint at night. If your level of uric acid is high you may be prescribed the medicine allopurinol.

See your doctor, and rheumatologist if necessary, for treatment to stop the inflammation and prevent joint destruction.

Wear soft insoles inside your shoes. Don’t wear high heels or pointy shoes. Raise and rest your foot whenever you can. See your doctor after a few days if the pain persists. Take painkillers.