Table of Contents
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Prevention
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a painful rash around the ear that occurs when the
Alternative Names
Hunt syndrome; Herpes oticus
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
The varicella zoster virus that causes Ramsay Hunt syndrome is the same virus that causes
In people with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, the virus is believed to infect the facial nerve near the inner ear. This leads to irritation and swelling of the nerve.
Review Date: 05/05/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of
General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington
School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical
Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
