Ramsay Hunt Syndrome

Ramsay hunt syndrome – There are so many diseases in the world, and the general public does not even have one or two percent of those diseases. Usually, people get to know about diseases when they experience them or the disease makes it to the news.

A similar thing happened with Ramsay hunt syndrome. Before Justin Bieber announced on his social media platform that he had been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, most of us did not even know that the disease existed in the world.

That incident was shocking for every fan of Justin Bieber around the world. He further mentioned that he is going to pause his world tour, and new dates will be announced shortly.

What is Ramsay Hunt Syndrome?

Ramsay hunt syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that is also known as paralysis of the facial nerve. Usually, people experience Ramsay Hunt syndrome when a shingles outbreak affects the facial nerves near one of their ears.

Along with the painful shingles, rash people also experience facial paralysis, and it can also affect listening to the ear. Ramsay Hunt syndrome is caused by a similar virus that is responsible for shingles and chickenpox.

If you have ever been diagnosed with chickenpox or you have received the vaccine for chickenpox down, there is a probability that you might also experience Ramsay hunt syndrome.

Even after a successful recovery from chickenpox, the virus is going to stay in your nerves as a doormat. It can later affect your body once again in the form of shingles or Ramsay Hunt syndrome.

Shingles and chickenpox are very common in the United States, but Ramsay hunt syndrome was in the news when famous pop star Justin Bieber announced on social media that he has been suffering from 1.

Symptoms of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome

Now let’s take a look at some of the most important and popular symptoms of Ramsay Hunt syndrome. If you have seen the video shared by the pop star Justin Bieber you can see that it is very similar to facial paralysis.

Even Justin Bieber was not able to move one side of his face. He was not able to blink one eye, and he was also struggling to make a happy face or even smile. 

  • The first thing you are going to experience during Ramsay hunt syndrome is a painful rash with fluid-filled blisters in and around one ear.
  • At the same time, you will also experience facial weakness or facial paralysis on the same side as the affected ear.

Most people experience rash and facial paralysis at the same time. Sometimes there can be a time difference between both of the symptoms, but they are always going to overlap.

Apart from both of the common symptoms, some other symptoms might occur when you start experiencing Ramsay hunt syndrome.

  • The first thing you are going to experience with the Ramsay hunt syndrome is pain. The pain is going to be there until you start taking pain relievers or you have successfully recovered.
  • At the same time, it might also affect the hearing of the year infected with painful blisters. Usually, the hearing loss is temporary, and most people can make a comeback without any permanent loss.
  • As you are already aware, Ramsay hunt syndrome is going to cause temporary facial paralysis, so it will be very difficult for you to blink one eye. Doctors suggest people suffering from Ramsay hunt syndrome use eye droppers to keep their eyes healthy.
  • At the same time, you might also experience a change in taste perception or a new loss of taste. During facial paralysis, it is very common as your body won’t be able to feel anything on one side of your face, including taste buds.
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome

Treatment of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome

Before we wrap this session, let’s take a look at some of the treatment options for Ramsay Hunt syndrome. 

Your doctor can easily diagnose Ramsey hunt syndrome by taking a look at your physical exam and medical history. Apart from that, the symptoms and signs of Ramsay hunt syndrome are pretty clear.

Your doctor might recommend treatment depending on the intensity of symptoms and risk of long-term complications from the disease.

  • Antiviral drugs such as Zovirax or Famvir Are among the best choice for doctors to treat people suffering from Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Both of these drugs can help the person affected with the disease to compact the chickenpox virus. 
  • At the same time, your doctor might also suggest you go for Corticosteroids. It is a short regimen of high-dose Prednisone. Doctors usually suggest it boosts the effect of antiviral drugs for people who are struggling with Ramsay hunt syndrome.
  • Depending on your symptoms and history with the drugs, your doctor might also suggest you go for anti-anxiety medications to help you relieve Vertigo.
  • Lastly, your doctor might also suggest you take some pain relievers as the pain is among the major problems in Ramsay hunt syndrome.

Apart from medical treatment, your doctor might also suggest you do some home remedies and lifestyle changes. Both things are also equally important to treat Ramsey hunt syndrome.

  • First of all, your doctor will suggest you keep the area affected by the rash clean. Any dirt can further increase the rash or can become the reason for any other infection.
  • The second thing you can do is apply cool, wet compresses to the rest. It will help you reduce the pain caused by the Ramsay Hunt syndrome.
  • You can even take over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen.

How common is Ramsay Hunt syndrome in the United States?

The National Center for biotechnology information published their report regarding Ramsay hunt syndrome, and they mentioned in their report that around 5 individuals out of 100,000 in the United States are affected by the disease. As compared to any other disease, it is rare in the United States as 40% of the total population of the United States is suffering from obesity.

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