Can patients with gout take baths in seawater?
Disease description:
I am a gout patient, and recently I have been experiencing frequent joint pain, especially in the toe joints. I am currently actively managing my diet and taking medication on time. I would like to know whether I, as a gout patient, can bathe in seawater. Could seawater potentially have any adverse effects on my condition?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Tiesheng
Whether patients with gout can bathe in seawater mainly depends on the stage of their condition.
1. Remission phase of gout: During this phase, patients can bathe in seawater. Seawater contains various minerals such as magnesium, potassium, and calcium, which may help alleviate conditions such as arthritis or gout. However, attention should be paid to water temperature, as excessively cold water may irritate the joints.
2. Acute gout attack phase: During an acute gout attack, characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain in the joints, patients should avoid bathing in seawater. At this stage, patients may experience joint pain and other discomforts, and immersion in cold seawater could potentially worsen the condition.
Patients with gout should maintain appropriate physical activity and a healthy lifestyle, including reducing intake of high-purine foods, maintaining a healthy weight, adequate hydration, and regular exercise, to help alleviate symptoms.
If planning to swim or soak in seawater, it is recommended to do so only outside of acute flare-ups. Attention should be paid to water temperature and individual physical responses, and swimming should be stopped immediately if any discomfort occurs.
