When a shingles outbreak affects the facial nerve near one of your ears, you get Ramsay Hunt syndrome (herpes zoster oticus). Ramsay Hunt syndrome, in addition to the painful shingles rash, can induce facial paralysis and hearing loss in the afflicted ear.
The same virus that causes chickenpox causes Ramsay Hunt syndrome. The virus remains in your nerves even after the chickenpox has healed. It may reawaken years later. When this happens, it might have an impact on your face nerves.
Treatment of Ramsay Hunt syndrome as soon as possible might lessen the risk of sequelae, which can include irreversible facial muscle paralysis and hearing.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF RAMSAY HUNT SYNDROME?
Ramsay Hunt syndrome has two primary signs and symptoms:
- On, in, and around one ear, a severe red rash with fluid-filled blisters.
- Facial paralysis or weakness on the same side as the afflicted ear
- Typically, the rash and facial paralysis occur together. Sometimes one occurs before the other. Sometimes the rash never appears.
You may also encounter the following symptoms if you have Ramsay Hunt syndrome:
- Ear ache
- Hearing impairment
- Your ears are ringing (tinnitus)
- Having difficulty shutting one eye
- Mouth and eyes dry
- A spinning or moving feeling (vertigo)
- A change in taste perception or taste loss
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF RAMSAY HUNT SYNDROME?
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a condition that affects persons who have had chickenpox. The virus remains in your body after you recover from chickenpox, possibly reactivating in later years to create shingles, a painful rash with fluid-filled blisters.
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a kind of shingles that affects the facial nerve near one of your ears. It is also capable of causing one-sided facial paralysis and hearing loss.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR RAMSAY HUNT SYNDROME?
Anyone who has had chickenpox can get Ramsay Hunt syndrome. It is more frequent in elderly folks, usually affecting those over the age of 60. In children, Ramsay Hunt syndrome is uncommon.
Ramsay Hunt syndrome does not spread. Reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, on the other hand, can induce chickenpox in persons who have never had chickenpox or been vaccinated against it. For patients with compromised immune systems, the illness can be deadly.
Stay away from these people until the rash blisters scab over:
- Anyone who has never had chickenpox or received the chickenpox vaccination.
- Anyone with a weakened immune system
- Newborns
- Women who are pregnant
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF RAMSAY HUNT SYNDROME?
Ramsay Hunt syndrome complications may include:
- Permanent hearing loss as well as facial weakness: Most people's hearing loss and facial paralysis caused by Ramsay Hunt syndrome are transitory. However, it has the potential to become permanent.
- Eye damage: You may find it difficult to close your eyelids due to the facial paralysis produced by Ramsay Hunt syndrome. This might cause damage to the cornea, which protects your eye. Eye discomfort and poor vision can result from this injury.
- Postherpetic neuralgia: When a shingles virus affects nerve fibers, this agonizing disease develops. These nerve fibers' signals become jumbled and amplified, resulting in pain that may continue long after the other signs and symptoms of Ramsay Hunt syndrome have disappeared.
HOW IS RAMSAY HUNT SYNDROME DIAGNOSED?
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is frequently identified by doctors based on a medical history, a physical exam, and the disorder's particular signs and symptoms. Your doctor may extract a sample of fluid from one of the rash blisters in your ear for testing to confirm the diagnosis.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR RAMSAY HUNT SYNDROME?
Treatment of Ramsay Hunt syndrome as soon as possible can alleviate discomfort and reduce the risk of long-term consequences. Medications may include the following:
Antiviral medications: Acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), and valacyclovir (Valtrex) are often used to treat chickenpox.
Corticosteroids: In Ramsay Hunt syndrome, a brief course of high-dose prednisone appears to enhance the impact of antiviral medicines.
Anti-anxiety drugs: Vertigo can be relieved with medications such as diazepam (Valium).
Pain relievers: Ramsay Hunt syndrome can cause excruciating agony. Prescription pain relievers may be required.
HOME REMEDIES FOR RAMSAY HUNT SYNDROME
Ramsay Hunt syndrome can be relieved by doing the following:
- Keep the rash-affected areas clean.
- To relieve discomfort, use cold, moist compresses to the rash.
- Use an over-the-counter pain reliever or anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others).
If you find it difficult to close one of your eyes due to facial weakness, take the following precautions to safeguard your vision:
- If your eyes get dry during the day, use hydrating eyedrops.
- Apply ointment to the affected eye and tape or wear an eye patch at night.
HOW CAN RAMSAY HUNT SYNDROME BE PREVENTED?
Children are now regularly immunized against chickenpox, dramatically reducing the risk of infection with the chickenpox virus. A shingles vaccination is also advised for persons over the age of 50.