Journal of Urgent Care Medicine

Ramsay Hunt Syndrome—Early Recognition of Herpes Zoster Oticus in Urgent Care: A Case Report

Urgent Message: If not recognized early, herpes zoster oticus may progress to Ramsay Hunt syndrome with facial nerve paralysis. Early antiviral therapy should be initiated, ideally within 72 hours of rash onset, to optimize outcomes. Vishal Prajapati, MBBS Keywords: herpes zoster oticus; Ramsay Hunt syndrome; facial nerve palsy; varicella-zoster virus; otalgia; vesicular rash; antiviral therapy Abstract Introduction: Herpes zoster oticus results from reactivation of varicella-zoster virus within the geniculate ganglion of the facial nerve. When …

Rash, Facial Palsy, and Ear Pain

A 62-year-old woman presents with a rash that appeared simultaneously with the onset of ipsilateral facial palsy. She reports severe ear pain in the affected ear, along with hearing loss. Physical examination reveals grouped bullae and vesicles on an erythematous base ipsilaterally involving the auricle, external ear canal, and tympanic membrane, as well as the mouth and anterior two-thirds of the tongue. View the image taken and consider what your diagnosis would be.

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