Gout patients advised against puncturing lumps themselves

KUALA LUMPUR: Patients suffering from gout are advised not to remove the uric acid fluid from tophi, or lumps that form under the skin, themselves, as this can lead to the risk of a life-threatening bacterial infection.

Syifa Clinic general practitioner, Dr Diyana Ahmad, said that such actions, which are sometimes performed by patients or individuals without medical clearance, by making incisions or puncturing joint nodules to release uric acid fluid (crystal deposits), are dangerous.