Shingles Complications: Herpes Zoster Oticus
Herpes zoster oticus, also called
Ramsay Hunt syndrome or Ramsay Hunt syndrome type II, is a common complication of
shingles. It is caused by the spread of the varicella-zoster virus to facial nerves. It is characterized by intense ear pain, a rash around the ear, mouth, face, neck, and scalp, and paralysis of facial nerves. It is also possible to have a loss of taste on the front portion of the tongue, hearing loss, or a spinning sensation (vertigo).
Shingles Complications: Postherpetic Neuralgia
Probaby the most common complication of shingles is
postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a condition where the pain from shingles persists for months, sometimes years, after the
shingles rash has healed.
Shingles pain that occurs with the initial shingles outbreak usually responds to treatment and is limited in duration (three to five weeks). In contrast, the symptoms of postherpetic neuralgia last longer, are difficult to treat, and can be incapacitating.
In many individuals, the skin is so sensitive that clothing or even a passing breeze cannot be tolerated on the affected area. The pain is described by PHN sufferers as agonizing, excruciating, and burning. The pain can result in an inability to perform daily tasks of living. This can lead to loss of independence and, ultimately,
depression and isolation.
For unknown reasons, this debilitating pain is more common in older people.
Shingles Complications: Sacral Zoster
When the shingles virus affects the nerves that control bladder function, it may cause sacral zoster. Symptoms of sacral zoster can include being unable to urinate, feeling the urge to urinate but not being able to, or having a dribbling urinary stream.
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