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Basics
What are tophi? Do they dissolve, do they need surgery, and how to shrink them
The white lumps on toes and ears mean long-standing gout. Good news: most dissolve without surgery.
Tophi are deposits of urate crystals under the skin and in tendons — the body's "uric acid warehouse", appearing after 5–10 years of untreated gout.
Do they dissolve?
Yes, only if uric acid stays under 300 µmol/L. About 1 mm per month; a 1 cm lump takes ~a year.
Surgery only when
- Ulcerated or infected
- Pressing on nerves
- Blocking shoes or grip
Shrinking them at home
- Full-dose uric acid medication — the only decisive factor
- 3 L water daily
- Never squeeze, lance or apply leaf poultices
- Keep skin clean and soft; wide shoes
- Measure monthly
Products mentioned
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Informational only; not a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis and prescription.