A virus has paralysed my face...
how long will I look like this? DR ELLIE CANNON replies By DR ELLIE CANNON FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY Published: 11:24, 25 March 2025 | Updated: 11:24, 25 March 2025 e-mail View comments I was recently diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome. The left side of my face has dropped and is agonisingly sore. I can’t close my eyes and my mouth is stiff.
How long will this last? Dr Ellie Cannon replies: Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a distressing form of shingles. It is triggered by the virus varicella zoster, which most people carry from childhood as it also causes chickenpox, but in later life, as the immune system weakens, it can flare-up, causing a painful blister rash down one side of the face and neck. Ramsay Hunt syndrome occurs when a shingles outbreak affects a nerve in the skull called the facial nerve .
Along with blisters, this can lead to paralysis of the face and problems with hearing, balance and dizziness. It can also cause problems with taste and the ringing ear issue tinnitus. It is also very painful, which is why the NHS offers a shingles vaccine to everyone aged 70 to 79, as well as those turning 65.
Usually it is treated with the anti-viral medicine acyclovir, which targets the virus and makes long-term complications less likely. Given the intense pain it causes, it’s important that doctors also provide pain-relief options such as amitriptyline and gabapentin. Occasionally, steroid tablets are offered to fight the inflammation.
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