Get involved in your cancer treatment by working with your doctor to evaluate options.
You've just been diagnosed with cancer. Your mind is reeling. And now your doctor wants you to sort through the data and help decide on a cancer treatment plan.
As research continues and more cancer treatment options become available, it's true — your doctor will likely encourage you to become an active participant in the decision-making process.
But how do you decide upon a cancer treatment plan? Explore your options and discuss them with your doctor. Working together is a good way to feel more in control of your disease and more comfortable as you move forward with your cancer treatment.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of Ramsay Hunt syndrome include:
- A painful red rash with fluid-filled blisters on your eardrum, external ear canal, the outside of your ear, the roof of your mouth (palate) or your tongue
- Facial weakness (palsy) on the same side as the affected ear
- Difficulty closing one eye
- Ear pain
- Hearing loss
- Ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
- A sensation of spinning or moving (vertigo)
- A change in taste perception or loss of taste
Risk factors
Anyone who has had chickenpox can develop Ramsay Hunt syndrome. But, it's more common in older adults, typically affecting people older than 40. Ramsay Hunt syndrome is rare in children.
Ramsay Hunt syndrome isn't contagious. However, reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus can cause chickenpox in people you come in contact with if they haven't had chickenpox before. The infection can be serious for people with immune system deficiencies.
Until the rash blisters scab over, avoid physical contact with:
- Anyone who's never had chickenpox
- Anyone who has a weak immune system
- Newborns
- Pregnant women (because chickenpox infection can be dangerous for a developing baby)
Tests and diagnosis
Doctors often can identify Ramsay Hunt syndrome based on medical history, a physical exam and the disorder's distinctive signs and symptoms. To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor may take a sample of fluid from one of the rash blisters in your ear and perform a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on it. This test can detect the varicella-zoster virus. A PCR test also can be done on a blood or tear sample. But, testing fluid from your ear offers more reliable results.
Treatments and drugs
Prompt treatment of Ramsay Hunt syndrome can ease pain and decrease your risk of long-term complications. To treat Ramsay Hunt, your doctor may prescribe the following medications:
- Antiviral medication, such as acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir) or valacyclovir (Valtrex)
- Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, to reduce swelling and pain
- Diazepam (Valium), to relieve vertigo
- Pain relievers
If facial weakness remains after treatment, physical therapy involving facial exercises may help you improve or regain control of your facial muscles.
If you have trouble closing one of your eyes because of facial weakness, your doctor may recommend an injection of botulinum toxin (Botox) into your upper eyelid, allowing it to close and protect your eye.
Depending on the extent of damage to your facial nerve, recovery from Ramsay Hunt syndrome can take from several weeks to several months. If damage is severe, or if treatment is delayed, full recovery may not be possible.
Lifestyle and home remedies
The following can help reduce the discomfort of Ramsay Hunt syndrome:
- Keep areas affected by the rash clean.
- Apply cool, wet compresses to the rash to ease pain.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever or anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others).
- If you have facial weakness, use the unaffected side of your mouth for chewing.
- Practice good oral hygiene, especially after eating.
- Get plenty of rest.
If facial weakness makes it difficult for you to close one of your eyes, take the following steps to protect your vision:
- Use moisturizing eyedrops throughout the day if your eye becomes dry.
- At night, apply ointment to the eye and tape your eyelid shut, or wear an eye patch.
Last Updated: 12/01/2006
