Deccan Chronicle SYMPTOMS

● A painful red rash with fluid-filled blisters in and around one ear

● Facial weakness or paralysis on the side of the affected ear

● Ear pain

● Hearing loss

● Ringing in the ears

● Difficulty closing one eye

● A sensation of spinning

● A change in taste

● Dry mouth and eyes

RISK FACTORS

Anyone who has had chickenpox can develop Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. It is more common in older people and uncommon in children. It is not contagious. For people with compromised immune systems, the infection can be deadly.

COMPLICATIONS

Dr Anish lists a few complications:

● Permanent hearing loss as well as facial weakness. In most cases facial paralysis are temporary

● The facial weakness caused by Ramsay Hunt Syndrome may make it difficult to close the eye on the affected side, and therefore, the cornea, which protects your eye, can be damaged, leading to eye pain and blurred vision.

● Postherpetic neuralgia, a painful condition that affects nerves and skin, could develop as a result of shingles infection. The messages passed to the brain by these nerves may become exaggerated, resulting in pain that may last long after the other symptoms of the Syndrome have faded.

PREVENTION

Children are now routinely immunised against chickenpox, greatly reducing the risk of infection with the chickenpox virus. A shingles vaccine is also recommended for people over the age of 50.

DIAGNOSIS

It is diagnosed using blood tests for the varicella-zoster virus, an MRI of the head, and some skin tests. A spinal tap, which involves pricking the spinal canal with a needle to collect cerebrospinal fluid for testing, may also be performed.

TREATMENT

Steroids (such as Prednisone) may be administered. Antiviral medications such as Acyclovir and Valacyclovir may be prescribed. If the pain persists despite the use of steroids, strong painkillers

may be required. Wearing an eye patch to protect the cornea from injury (corneal abrasion) and other eye damage helps.