Uric acid is a normal breakdown product of purines from cells and certain foods. When blood levels stay high, needle-like urate crystals can form in joints (classically the big toe) and cause the sudden, severe pain of gout, or build into lumps under the skin (tophi). UK healthcare treatment combines short-term flare relief (NSAIDs, colchicine or steroids) with long-term urate-lowering therapy — usually allopurinol or febuxostat — aiming for a target blood urate.
What is uric acid?
Uric acid: Uric acid is a natural waste product of purine breakdown. High blood levels ('hyperuricaemia') can crystallise in joints, causing gout attacks. Managed by lowering intake (alcohol, offal, seafood) and, when attacks recur, urate-lowering drugs (allopurinol).
Last updated 2026-07-04. This is general information, not a substitute for personalised medical advice.