Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a painful rash around the ear, on the face, or on the mouth.
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox
It occurs when the varicella-zoster virus infects a nerve in the head.
Ramsay Hunt syndrome
After chickenpox clears up, the virus still lives in your nerves
Years later, it may reactivate. When it does, it can affect your facial nerves
However, if it goes untreated for too long, you may have some permanent muscle weakness in your face or lose some of your hearing.
Compared with Bell's palsy (facial paralysis without rash), patients with Ramsay Hunt syndrome often have more severe paralysis at onset and are less likely to recover completely.
a rare disease that occurs when a shingles outbreak attacks facial nerves close to one of your ears.