What kind of doctor treats Ramsay Hunt syndrome?
He or she may refer you to a doctor who specializes in nervous system disorders (neurologist) or to an ear, nose and throat specialist (otolaryngologist).
Is Ramsay Hunt syndrome permanent?
For most people, the hearing loss and facial paralysis associated with Ramsay Hunt syndrome is temporary. However, it can become permanent. Eye damage. The facial weakness caused by Ramsay Hunt syndrome may make it difficult for you to close your eyelid.
How long does Ramsay Hunt syndrome take to recover?
Everyone will recover from Ramsay Hunt syndrome a little differently, but in general, it takes about three weeks to recover completely. In rare cases, some people will develop postherpetic neuralgia, which is pain caused by damaged nerve fibers that can last months or years.
Can you cure Ramsay Hunt syndrome?
The most common treatments for Ramsay Hunt syndrome are medications that treat the virus infection. Your doctor may prescribe famciclovir or acyclovir along with prednisone or other corticosteroid medications or injections. They may also recommend treatments based on the specific symptoms that you have.
What triggers Ramsay Hunt syndrome?
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox in children and shingles (herpes zoster) in adults. In cases of Ramsay Hunt syndrome, previously inactive (dormant) varicella-zoster virus is reactivated and spreads to affect the facial nerve.
Can you have Ramsay Hunt without facial paralysis?
Some people with RHS get the ear rash without the facial paralysis. Doctors sometimes refer to these cases as zoster sine herpete. People with RHS may experience other symptoms, including: Nausea and vomiting.
Does Ramsay Hunt get worse?
Patients with zoster (Ramsay Hunt) do substantially worse than patients with idiopathic Bells Palsy (Pietersen, 2002). Total recovery of facial movement occurs in about 50% of treated patients. If hearing is affected (about 1/3), complete hearing recovery occurs in about half.
How long does ear pain last with Ramsay Hunt syndrome?
If there is not much damage to the nerve, you should get better completely within a few weeks. If damage is more severe, you may not fully recover, even after several months. Overall, your chances of recovery are better if the treatment is started within 3 days after the symptoms begin.
Does Ramsay Hunt syndrome make you tired?
Fatigue is a very frequently reported symptom in the Ramsay Hunt syndrome type 2 (zoster reactivation) community, but is not particularly indicative of Ramsay Hunt syndrome type 2 (zoster reactivation).
Is Ramsay Hunt syndrome an autoimmune disease?
Conclusion: Recurrent facial nerve palsy and bilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss could be the expression of autoimmune disturbances. The initial triggered factor could be the herpes simplex virus infection, such as a Ramsay Hunt-like syndrome.
How long does facial paralysis last with Ramsay Hunt syndrome?
How do I recover from Ramsay Hunt syndrome?
Successful recovery from Ramsay Hunt syndrome is dependent on recognizing and treating symptoms in the first few days. The best way to ensure the fullest possible recovery is to take the drugs acyclovir and prednisolone within 7 days of symptoms starting. The damage caused by Ramsay Hunt syndrome is reversible.