Hello, Your 86 years old mother has gout. She hurt her lower leg four days ago, it is red and hot, and she is not letting you take the bandage off. You mother is suggested to get clinically examined by a health care provider or you can take her in the ER. Get her wound cleaned and antiseptic dressing done. If it is a deep wound she may require to take a course of antibiotics like Augmentin and take pain relieving medicines like Acetaminophen or Combiflam, one SOS when needed. It will help to reduce the soreness and inflammation. Neglect may cause infection and worsening of the wound & delayed healing. The blood sugar level should be controlled at all cost for faster and better healing. Since she has history of having gout she should avoid taking food rich in purines. She should avoid taking red meat and liver, are especially high in purines. She should not take purine rich sea food like sardines, mussels, scallops, trout and tuna, etc. Low-fat dairy products may be a better source of protein for people prone to gout. She should limit alcoholic beverages and drinks sweetened with fruit sugar. She should stay away from addictions if any. You should get her clinically examined by a GP, get joint fluid test, blood test, X-ray imaging, blood workouts done so that she can be treated for gout at the earliest. Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Nupur K., General & Family Physician