What could be the cause of sudden onset pain and swelling in the hands and feet?

Specifically, in the joints of the thumb and first finger of both hands as well as the fourth toe on the right foot of a 37 year old woman with no known health problems, no recent trauma to those areas, and no unusual recent physical activities. However, in the past I have occassionally experienced numbness and a 'pins-and-needles' sensation in the same area of the hands.

The pain is such that I a unable to apply any pressure with the the thumb and first finger on either hand - such as when attempting to grip or squeeze an item. The pain is severe enought that simply squeezeing a fresh tube of toothpaste is excruciating. As for the pain in the foot, I am unable to bend the toe and simply flexing that foot results in considerable pain. Any type of footwear and walking more than a few step significantly increases the pain. Symptoms appeared overnight approximately one week ago and have not disipated since. Pain was initially more intense upon rising and late in the evening but is now consistent over the course of the day.