Patient education: Bell's palsy (The Basics)

What is Bell's palsy? — Bell's palsy is a condition that causes 1 side of a person's face to become weak or droop. This can happen when 1 of the nerves that control the muscles in the face gets damaged or stops working. Damage to this nerve usually happens when the nerve becomes swollen or inflamed because of an infection with a virus.

Most people with Bell's palsy recover completely. But some people have symptoms of Bell's palsy for the rest of their life.

What are the symptoms of Bell's palsy? — The symptoms can include:

●An eyebrow that sags on 1 side

●Drooping of 1 corner of the mouth

●1 eye that will not close completely (picture 1)

Some people with Bell's palsy even lose the ability to taste on the front of their tongue. And some become sensitive to loud noises on the affected side.

Bell's palsy can change the appearance of your face and smile. This can cause some people to feel distressed.

Is there a test for Bell's palsy? — No. But your doctor or nurse should be able to tell if you have it by learning about your symptoms and doing an exam. Even so, your doctor or nurse might order tests to check whether you have a different medical problem that could be causing your symptoms.

Should I see a doctor or nurse? — Yes. If you have any symptoms of Bell's palsy, see your doctor or nurse right away. Effective treatments exist, but they work best if you start them soon after your symptoms start.

How is Bell's palsy treated? — Treatments include:

●Medicines to reduce inflammation and swelling – Many people with Bell's palsy get medicines called steroids. These help bring down the swelling that is often the cause of Bell's palsy.

●Medicines that help fight viruses – The swelling that causes Bell's palsy might be triggered by viruses. For this reason, some people get "antiviral medicines," which help them fight infection.

●Protection for your eyes – Bell's palsy sometimes makes it impossible for you to close 1 of your eyes. If that happens, it's important to keep your eye moist and protected. Otherwise, your eye can dry out and get damaged. Your doctor might prescribe eye drops or ointments to protect your eye. Your doctor might also suggest that you wear glasses during the day and carefully tape your eyelid shut at night.

Will my face go back to normal? — Probably. Most people with Bell's palsy start to get better within 3 weeks of when their symptoms start. But it can take them up to 6 months to get completely back to normal. Some people do not recover completely. They can have some weakness in their face that never goes away.

Is there anything I can do on my own? — Yes. You should:

●Take all of your medicines as instructed.

●If you cannot close your eye, use "artificial tears" every 1 to 2 hours. These are eye drops, ointments, or gels that help keep your eye moist.

●During the day, wear glasses, sunglasses, or goggles. These help protect your eye from dirt, dust, and injury.

●At night, use artificial tears ointment in your eye. Then, use a medical tape to gently tape the eyelid shut.

Depending on your situation, these things might also help:

●Some people need to work with a physical therapist (exercise expert) to learn exercises or massage. Try doing your exercises in front of a mirror to see how your face moves.

●Some people have trouble talking because of their mouth drooping. Try using a pen and paper, texting, or a computer to help you communicate.

When should I call the doctor? — Call for advice if:

●You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.

●You have worsening facial weakness.

●You have changes in your eyesight or pain in the eye.

●You have trouble with balance, walking, weakness, or coordination.

More on this topic

Patient education: Bell's palsy (Beyond the Basics)