Living with Geniculate herpes zoster
Also called Ramsay Hunt syndrome: shingles that spreads to facial nerves, causing ear pain, rash, and weakness of the face.
Understanding Geniculate herpes zoster
Shingles happens in people who have had chickenpox, when the varicella-zoster virus becomes active again. In Ramsay Hunt syndrome the virus spreads to facial nerves. It can occur at any time in life.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these:
- Intense ear pain
- Rash around the ear, mouth, face, neck, and scalp
- Weakness or paralysis of the face
- Hearing loss or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Vertigo (feeling that the room is spinning)
- Loss of taste, and dry mouth and eyes
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Facial Pain Association and The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Facial Pain Association, The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Facial Pain Association and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox, spreading to the facial nerves after the virus becomes active again.
Also known as: facial nerve palsy due to herpes zoster infection; facial nerve palsy due to vzv; facial nerve paralysis due to vzv; geniculate herpes zoster infection; geniculate neuralgia; herpes zoster auricularis
Patient organizations
- Facial Pain AssociationGeniculate herpes zoster · United States
- Ramsay Hunt Syndrome FoundationGeniculate herpes zoster · United States
- The Foundation for Peripheral NeuropathyPeripheral neuropathy · United States
- Neuropathy Action FoundationPeripheral neuropathy · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Geniculate herpes zoster.
Explore research for Geniculate herpes zoster
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- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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