Ramsay Hunt syndrome is not, as widely believed, a single medical diagnosis. James Ramsay Hunt lent his name to a number of ailments including Ramsay Hunt's atrophy, Ramsay Hunt's paralysis, Ramsay Hunt's syndrome I, Ramsay Hunt's syndrome II, Ramsay Hunt's syndrome III and Ramsay Hunt's zone.

In its general usage, the term Ramsay Hunt syndrome can refer to a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus which lies dormant after appearing as chickenpox as a child. It is a complication of shingles which can lead to facial paralysis (Bell's palsy) through damage to the 7th nerve, severe ear pains, hearing disorders, lesions of the skin, loss of taste to the tongue on the affected side and vertigo.

It is rare in children but but is commonly seen in the elderly and affects both sexes equally and is not contagious.

Bell's palsy is the most common form of facial paralysis worldwide and is believed to be caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1. This virus is not thought to be a causing factor of Ramsay Hunt syndrome II.

For the benefit of this website we shall be referring specifically to Ramsay Hunt's syndrome II, not to say that the other associated illnesses are any less important, but simply because this is the illness that I have been struck by over the past few weeks and therefore the one which I am most experienced to comment upon.

Much of the information contained within will also concentrate on the more common Bell's palsy as this is a major part of a Ramsay Hunt case. Treatments and diagnosis are very similar although some differences will be highlighted in the text. Either way, immediate attention will ensure that you stand a better chance of a full recovery although residual nerve damage will persist in very rare cases.