What is Ramsay Hunt syndrome, and how does it affect you?
According to the Mayo Clinic, happens when a shingles outbreak affects the facial nerve near one of your ears. it can include facial paralysis and hearing loss in the afflicted ear, in addition to the severe shingles outbreak.
The same virus that causes chickenpox causes Ramsay Hunt syndrome. The virus remains in your nerves after chickenpox has healed. It might reawaken years later. It might harm your face nerves if this happens.
Ramsay Hunt syndrome can be treated early to lessen the risk of sequelae, such as irreversible facial muscle paralysis and hearing.
What are the signs and symptoms?
The following are the two primary signs and symptoms of Ramsay Hunt syndrome, according to the Mayo Clinic:
On, in, and around one ear, a severe red rash with fluid-filled blisters.
On the same side as the afflicted ear, facial weakness or paralysis
The rash and facial paralysis usually develop at the same time. It’s possible that one will occur before the other. Other instances, the rash may not appear.
You may also have the following symptoms if you have:
Ear ache
Hearing loss is a common problem.
Your ears are ringing (tinnitus)
Closing one eye is difficult.
A spinning or moving feeling (vertigo)
A loss of flavour or a change in taste perception
Mouth and eyes that are dry
Complications
Ramsay Hunt syndrome can cause a variety of complications, including:
Hearing loss and facial paralysis are both permanent. The hearing loss and facial paralysis associated are usually very transitory. However, it has the potential to become permanent.
Damage to the eyes. Because of the facial paralysis induced, closing your eyelid may be challenging. The cornea, which protects your eye, may be injured as a result. Eye discomfort and poor vision can result from this injury.
Postherpetic neuralgia is a kind of postherpetic neuralgia. A shingles infection affects nerve fibres, resulting in this excruciating illness. The information provided by these nerve fibres become jumbled and amplified, resulting in pain that can continue long after the other Ramsay Hunt syndrome signs and symptoms have disappeared.
Prevention
Chickenpox vaccination is now regularly administered to children, considerably reducing the risk of infection with the virus. A shingles vaccination is also advised for persons over the age of 50.
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