Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS) is a problem moving the muscles on one side of the face. It also results in a rash around the ear or mouth. It is not common.
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RHS is caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV). The virus is the same one that causes chickenpox and shingles. It stays in the body even after the illness has passed. In some people, it can reactivate and cause RHS.
Things that may raise the risk of this problem are:
Problems may be:
You will be asked about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. This is often enough to make the diagnosis.
Lab tests may need to be done to confirm a diagnosis that is not certain.
The goal of treatment is to ease discomfort and quicken recovery. Choices are:
National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke
http://www.ninds.nih.gov
National Organization for Rare Disorders
https://rarediseases.org
Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation
http://www.cnsfederation.org
Health Canada
https://www.canada.ca
About shingles (herpes zoster). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
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Accessed January 12, 2021.
Herpes zoster. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/herpes-zoster. Accessed January 12, 2021.
NINDS herpes zoster oticus information page. National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke website. Available at: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Herpes-Zoster-Oticus-Information-Page. Accessed January 12, 2021.
Schmader K. Herpes Zoster. Ann Intern Med. 2018 Aug 7;169(3):ITC19-ITC31.
Last reviewed December 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Rimas Lukas, MD