Today we are sharing with you about Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. Here we are Discussing with you Ramsay Hunt Syndrome Symptoms and causes. Dear Friend, 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 chickenpox clears up, the virus still lives in your nerves. Years later, it may reactivate. When it does, it can affect your facial nerves.
Prompt 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 on, in, and around one ear
” Facial weakness or paralysis on the same side as the affected ear
If you have Ramsay Hunt syndrome, you might also experience:
- Ear pain
- Hearing loss
- Ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
- Difficulty closing one eye
- A sensation of spinning or moving (vertigo)
- A change in taste perception or loss of taste
- Dry mouth and eyes
Ramsay Hunt syndrome Causes
Ramsay Hunt syndrome occurs in people who’ve had chickenpox. Once you recover from chickenpox, the virus stays in your body — sometimes reactivating in later years to cause shingles, a painful rash with fluid-filled blisters.
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a shingles outbreak that affects the facial nerve near one of your ears. It can also cause one-sided facial paralysis and hearing loss.
Ramsay Hunt syndrome Risk factors
Anyone who has had chickenpox may have Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. It is more common in older adults, usually affecting people over 60 years of age. Ramsay Hunt Syndrome is rare in children.
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome is not contagious. However, reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus can result in chickenpox in people who have not previously had chickenpox or have not been vaccinated for it. Infections can be fatal for those with immune system problems.
- Anyone who’s never had chickenpox or who’s never had the chickenpox vaccine
- Anyone who has a weak immune system
- Newborns
- Pregnant women
Complications
Complications of Ramsay Hunt syndrome may include:
- Permanent hearing loss and facial weakness. For most people, the 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 may make it difficult for you to close your eyelid. When this happens, the cornea, which protects your eye, can become damaged. This damage can cause eye pain and blurred vision.
- Postherpetic neuralgia. This painful condition occurs when a shingles infection damages nerve fibers. The messages sent by these nerve fibers become confused and exaggerated, causing pain that may last long after other signs and symptoms of Ramsay Hunt syndrome have faded.
