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Warning-sign checks

Ramsay hunt syndrome: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services if facial drooping occurs with possible stroke signs, such as:

    • Weakness or numbness in an arm or leg
    • New difficulty speaking or understanding speech
    • Sudden severe headache
    • Confusion, collapse, or marked difficulty walking
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek same-day medical assessment for new one-sided facial weakness, a painful blistering rash around the ear, or an inability to close one eye.

    These symptoms need prompt diagnosis and eye protection, and treatment may be time-sensitive.

    Get urgent help if your eye becomes red, painful, very sensitive to light, or develops blurred vision.

    These symptoms may mean the cornea is being injured.

    Seek urgent medical advice for rapidly worsening hearing, severe vertigo, repeated vomiting, a spreading rash, or symptoms occurring while your immune system is severely weakened.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up is appropriate for slow recovery, ongoing facial tightness, persistent pain, tinnitus, or balance problems that are not suddenly worsening.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Ramsay hunt syndrome. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.