Ramsay Hunt Syndrome

Other Names : Ramsay-Hunt Syndrome, Hunt syndrome, Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a painful rash around the ear, on the face, or on the mouth. It occurs when the varicella-zoster virus infects a nerve in the head.

Causes

The varicella-zoster virus that causes Ramsay Hunt syndrome is the same virus that causes chickenpox and shingles. In people with this syndrome, the virus is believed to infect the facial nerve near the inner ear. This leads to irritation and swelling of the nerve. The condition mainly affects adults. In rare cases, it is seen in children.

Symptoms

• Severe pain in the ear
• Painful rash on the eardrum, ear canal, earlobe, tongue, and roof of the mouth on the side with the affected nerve
• Hearing loss on one side
• Sensation of things spinning (vertigo)
• Weakness on one side of the face that causes difficulty closing one eye, eating (food falls out of the weak corner of the mouth), making expressions, and making fine movements of the face, as well as facial droop and paralysis on one side of the face

Natural Treatment

• See Shingles
• See chickenpox