What is Ramsay Hunt Syndrome? The Rare Condition That Forced Justin Bieber to Cancel His Justice World Tour”
The pop star canceled his Justice World Tour last year after revealing that he had suffered from Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, a rare condition that paralyzes half the face.
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This condition arises from the varicella-zoster virus, responsible for chickenpox and shingles. While the virus can lie dormant for many years, it may reactivate in certain individuals, causing symptoms to resurface.
A person may not realize that they have this virus until they get shingles and have a rash on their face. They might also experience some facial weakness or paralysis, but the symptoms are usually temporary and go away in a few weeks.
Beliebers beware
Bieber’s condition is similar to Bell’s palsy, a disorder that affects the muscles around the eyes, mouth, nose and ears, and is most commonly caused by shingles. But unlike Bell’s palsy, which is typically cured within weeks of diagnosis, patients with Ramsay Hunt syndrome are unlikely to recover completely in that time period.
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome is a neurological condition that affects the nerves in the head and neck. The resulting facial weakness or paralysis is sometimes severe enough to make it difficult for the patient to blink, smile or move their eyebrows.
The most common symptom of this condition is an erythematous vesicular rash on the skin of the face, ears and scalp. It can appear as a pink scab or as red, itchy bumps. The rash is usually limited to the cheeks and forehead, but can spread to the eyes, nose and throat.
Symptoms
Often misdiagnosed as Bell’s palsy, the symptoms of Ramsay Hunt syndrome can be just as disabling and debilitating. Some people are able to regain partial facial function after just a few weeks, while others have permanent paralysis that will never fully heal.
According to the charity Facial Palsy UK, a person diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome will often start to improve in a few months. While the treatment for Bell’s palsy is mostly pain medication and a good night’s sleep, those with Ramsay Hunt syndrome will likely need to take antiviral medications, as well as a daily regimen of antibiotics and other prescription drugs.
Many patients will see significant improvements in the first 3-6 months after their diagnosis, with a gradual improvement in symptoms as the disease progresses. The disease’s severity varies from person to person, with paralysis generally worse at the start and gradually improving over time.
Causes
The cause of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome is unclear, but it’s believed to be the reactivation of the varicella-zoster infection that causes chickenpox and shingles. It’s also thought that the disease could be caused by a weakened immune system, or another infection (including the viral illness COVID-19) that makes the body more susceptible to reactivation of the varicella-zoster disease.
In June 2022, singer Justin Bieber posted a video on Instagram telling his followers that he was suffering from Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, a condition that leaves a person unable to smile or blink on one side of their face. He told fans in the video that he was making his health a priority, and that he would be postponing his Justice World Tour to focus on his recovery.
