Gout is a form of arthritis. It is called "the rich man's disease", but my husband, a friend, and my father say, "where is the money?" The only thing I know that works to some degree is drinking a LOT of water. Rinse it out. But most guys I know get a Rx for alupurin and take it faithfully. It is so painful that even a sheet on your affected body part at night hurts. It is usually feet, but I have two friends who have it in their hands. My husband's feel would swell so large that I was concerned that his skin would split open. This went on for two years before he sought a doc for it. THe doc told him to drink lots more water, and when that didn't take care of the problem, he put him on daily meds. As with many medical problems, once you have it people come out of the woodwork and tell you that they do as well. A lot of folk think it is shamefull because of the connotation that sufferers drink too much and live on beef steak. In fact, I've known vegetarian tea-totalers who have it.
And yes, drinkiing a couple of quarts of water a day does help. But go to a doctor.