Ear Shingles (Otic Zoster): Symptoms, Causes & Facial Paralysis

Ear shingles (otic zoster) is a disease caused by the varicella zoster virus. Ear shingles with involvement of the geniculate ganglion (found in the auditory nerve), although rare, assumes prominence because of paralysis of the facial muscles.

Rash

• Ear shingles may begin with a rash in the tympanic membrane.

Cervical Vesicles

• Vesicles (small sacs similar to cold sores) appear on the neck as the rash continues to spread outside the tympanic membrane.

Loss of Taste

• In some ear shingles cases, loss of taste happens on the nerves located on top of the tongue.

Symptoms on the Ganglia of Corti

• Involvement of ganglia of Corti (located in the auditory nerve) is accompanied by tinnitus, vertigo, nausea and loss of hearing.

Facial Paralysis

• Facial paralysis rarely occurs to patients with ear shingles and is identical to that of Bell's palsy.