Quite similar to Bell’s palsy is Ramsay Hunt syndrome or shingles related facial palsy. Like Bell’s palsy, the facial paralysis onset is rapid but it is typically preceded by painful blisters on the outer ear or on the ear canal back wall. Pain with Ramsay Hunt syndrome is typical of shingles and may precede the paralysis by up to a week and rarely occurs without blisters (sine vesicles). Untreated, the prognosis for Ramsay Hunt syndrome is much worse than for Bell’s palsy with well over 50% suffering from permanent residual weakness and some having a permanently complete paralysis on one side of the face. Aggressive, early treatment lowers the bad-outcome risk…see treatment below.
https://www.tampabayhearing.com/ear-education/bells-palsy-and-ramsay-hunt-syndrome/
