Paralysis on one side of Justin Bieber’s face caused him to take a break from performing. Bieber said Friday he needed time to recover.
The singer canceled three shows earlier this week due to illness.
He explained on his Instagram account that he has Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which prevents him from moving half of his face.
This virus attacks my facial nerves and the nerves in my ear, causing me to have paralysis in my face,” he said in the video.
There is complete paralysis on this side of my face. As you see, this eye is not blinking. My cheeks cannot smile. I can’t move my nose.
“I’m not physically capable of doing them,” Bieber said about the recent cancellations of his concerts.
What is Ramsay Hunt Syndrome?
According to the Mayo Clinic, Ramsay Hunt syndrome (herpes zoster oticus) occurs when an outbreak of shingles damages the facial nerve near one of the ears.
Besides being painful, Ramsay Hunt syndrome can cause paralysis of the face and hearing damage in the affected ear.”
The virus that causes chickenpox causes shingles and by extension Ramsay Hunt.
It is thought that those who get this syndrome had chicken pox when they were young.
The chickenpox virus still resides in your nerves after it has cleared up. The virus can reactivate years later. If this occurs, your facial nerves are affected.
It is imperative to treat Ramsay Hunt syndrome promptly so that complications, including permanent deafness and facial muscle weakness, can be avoided.
What Are the Symptoms of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome?
According to the Mayo Clinic, Ramsay Hunt syndrome has two main symptoms:
It is a painful red rash with a few blisters filled with fluid on and around one ear.
The affected ear is associated with facial weakness or paralysis.
This occurs most often at the same time as the rash. However, sometimes one happens before the other. In some cases, the rash never appears.
People with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome may also experience:
- Hearing loss.
- Ear pain.
- Ringing in your ears (tinnitus).
- A sensation of spinning or moving (vertigo).
- Difficulty closing one eye.
- A change in taste perception or loss of taste.
- Dry mouth and eyes.
What are the Complications of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome
Ramsay Hunt syndrome may result in the following complications:
# Postherpetic Neuralgia
Shingles infections damage nerve fibers, resulting in this painful condition.
The signals sent by these nerve fibers are confusing and exaggerated, causing pain that lasts long after other symptoms and signs of Ramsay Hunt syndrome have disappeared.
# Permanent Hearing Loss and Facial Weakness.
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is usually associated with temporary hearing loss and facial paralysis. But it is also capable of causing permanent damage.
# Eye Damage
It may be difficult for you to close your eyelids due to the facial weakness caused by Ramsay Hunt syndrome.
The cornea can be damaged as a result, which protects your eye. When damaged, your vision may be blurred or painful.
Prevention for Ramsay Hunt Syndrome
As a result of routine vaccinations against chickenpox, children have a much lower risk of contracting the chickenpox disease.
People 50 and older are advised to get shingles vaccines as well. However, it is advised to consult a doctor.
You can read more about Ramsay Hunt Syndrome at Mayo Clinic.
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