Ramsay Hunt syndrome - Medtick

Ramsay Hunt syndrome

What is it?

A viral infection caused deep within, around the ear and in the facial nerves (mainly cranial nerve VII, others may be involved include cranial nerve V, VI and IX) causing numbness, paralysis and weakness and  ear deafness.

  • It is similar to Bell’s palsy but Hunt’s syndrome normally has a rash present.

This condition can reactivate the varicella-zoster virus can cause chickenpox in people who have not had it or have not been vaccinated. Patients should avoid contact with these individuals as well as people with a weakened immune system until there is scabbing over the blistered rash.

NORD


Fever and pain relief medication
Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs can be used under medical supervision, however Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs is not recommended in asthma or asthma type symptoms. Check with your Medical doctor/Pharmacist when one can have any type of fever reducing medication to make sure it suitable for you.

Cause

Symptoms

  • Sensitive to normal every day sounds (hyperacusis)?
  • Normal volume sounds exceptionally loud?
  • Hear continuously or sometimes hissing, buzzing, whistling noises, or a musical tone from ‘nowhere’ or beats in time with pulse (pulsatile tinnitus) – (this is because the ear tympanic membrane maybe ruptured and will take over four weeks to heal)?
  • Notice sounds more when quiet environments or tired?
  • High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats longer than 72 hours?
  • Balance and dizziness problems?
  • Uncontrollable movements in the eye can cause vision difficulties?
  • Unable to move parts of face (difficult to smile or raise eyebrows or screw up eyes)?
  • Rash and/or crusting on face and in or around the ear?
  • Rash on the tongue?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency Condition

And/or do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:


This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Ramsay Hunt syndrome in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).