Ramsay Hunt syndrome

Description

Ramsay Hunt syndrome (herpes zoster oticus) occurs when a shingles outbreak affects the facial nerve near one of your ears. In addition to the painful shingles rash, Ramsay Hunt syndrome can cause facial paralysis and hearing loss in the affected ear.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After the chickenpox clears, the virus still lives in your nerves. Years later, it can reactivate. When it does, it can affect their facito the nerves.

The timely treatment of Ramsay Hunt syndrome can reduce the risk of complications, which can include permanent facial muscle weakness and deafness.

Symptoms

The two main signs and symptoms of Ramsay Hunt syndrome are:

  • A painful red rash with fluid-filled blisters in and around the ear.
  • Facial weakness or paralysis on the same side of the affected ear.

Usually, the rash and facial paralysis occur at the same time. Sometimes one can happen before the other. Other times, the rash never occurs.

If you have Ramsay Hunt syndrome, may also experience:

  • The ear pain.
  • The hearing loss.
  • Ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
  • Difficulty closing one eye.
  • A feeling of spinning or moving (vertigo).
  • A change in the perception of taste or loss of taste.
  • Dry mouth and eyes.

When to see a doctor

Call your doctor if you experience facial paralysis or a shingles rash on your face. The treatment is started within three days following the onset of signs and symptoms can help to prevent long-term complications.

Causes

Ramsay Hunt syndrome occu'rs in people who have had chickenpox. Once you recover from chickenpox, the virus stays in your body — sometimes the reactivation in the years later to cause shingles, a painful rash with fluid-filled blisters.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome is an outbreak of herpes that affects the facial nerve near one of your ears. You can also causes one of the sides of the facial paralysis and hearing loss.

Risk factors

Ramsay Hunt syndrome can occur in anyone who has had chickenpox. It is more common in older adults, usually affecting people over the age of 60 years. Ramsay Hunt syndrome is rare in children.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome is not contagious. However, the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus can cause chickenpox in people who previously have not had chickenpox or been vaccinated for it. The infection can berious for people who have immune system problems.

Until the eruption of blisters scab over, to avoid physical contact with:

  • Who has never had chickenpox or has never had the chicken pox vaccine.
  • Any person who has a weak immune system.
  • Newborns.
  • Pregnant women.

Complications

The complications of the Ramsay Hunt syndrome may include:

  • Permanent hearing loss and facial weakness. For most people, hearing loss and facial paralysis associated with Ramsay Hunt syndrome is temporary. However, it can become permanent.
  • Eye damage. The facial weakness caused by Ramsay Hunt syndrome can make it difficult for you to close the lid. When this happens, the cornea that protects the eye, can be damaged. This damage can cause eye pain and blurred vision.
  • Postherpetic neuralgia. This painful condition that occurs when a shingles infection damage of the nerve fibers. The messages sent by these nerve fibers become confused and exaggerated, causing pain that can last long after other signs and symptoms of Ramsay Hunt syndrome have faded away.

Preintervention

Children are now routinely vaccinated against chickenpox, which greatly reduces the chance of becoming infected with the chickenpox virus. A shingles vaccine for people aged 50 years or more is also recommended.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome

Diagnoseis

Doctors often can identify the Ramsay Hunt syndrome based on the clinical history, a physical examination, and the disorder has distinctive signs and symptoms. To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor may take a sample of fluid from one of the rash of blisters in the ear for testing.

Treatment

The timely treatment of Ramsay Hunt syndrome can relieve the pain and decrease the risk of long-term complications. Medications may include:

  • The antiviral drugs. Medicines, such as acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir) or valacyclovir (Valtrex) often help fight the virus of chicken pox.
  • Corticosteroids. A brief high-dose regimen of prednisone seems to potentiate the effect of antiviral drugs in Ramsay Hunt syndrome.
  • Anti-anxiety medications. Drugs such as diazepam (Valium) can help to alleviate the vertigo.
  • Pain relievers. The pain associated with Ramsay Hunt syndrome can be severe. Prescription pain medications may be necessary.

Self-care

The following steps can help to reduce the discomfort of Ramsay Hunt syndrome:

  • Keep the areas affected by the rash clean.
  • Apply cold, wet compresses to the rash to relieve the pain.
  • Take over the counter medications to relieve the pain or anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others).

If facial weakness makes it difficult for you to close one eye, take the following steps to protect your vision:

  • The use of eye drops moisturizing throughout the day if the eye becomes dry.
  • At night, apply an ointment for the eyes and tape her eyelid closed or use a patch on the eye.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely to start by seeing your family doctor. He or she may refer you to a doctor who specializes in disorders of the nervous system (neurological) or an ear, nose and throat specialist (otolaryngologist).

What you can do

Before your appointment, you can write a list of answers to the d- wing questions:

  • What are your symptoms? When do you start?
  • Have you had the sensation that the room is spinning (vertigo)?
  • Has your hearing been affected?
  • Have you noticed a change in your sense of taste?
  • Have you had the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine? When?
  • Have you ever had the chicken pox? When?
  • You are undergoing treatment for any chronic health condition? If so, what are the treatments they receive?
  • Are you pregnant?

What to expect from your doctor

During the physical exam, your doctor will closely examine your face to check for evidence of a face of a paralysis or a shingles rash on, in or around your ear.

Symptoms and treatment of Ramsay Hunt syndrome