Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS) primarily affects individuals who have previously contracted chickenpox. Key risk factors include advanced age, particularly those over 60, and a history of varicella-zoster virus infection. While anyone who has had chickenpox can develop RHS, it is more prevalent in older adults and rarely observed in children. Additional factors that may increase the risk of developing Ramsay Hunt syndrome include compromised immune function (e.g., due to chemotherapy, immune deficiency, or concurrent infections), significant stress, and inadequate nutrition.