What is bell's palsy?

Bell's palsy is a paralysis or weakness of the muscles on one side of your face. Damage to the facial nerve that controls muscles on one side of the face causes that side of your face to droop. The nerve damage may also affect your sense of taste and how you make tears and saliva. This condition comes on suddenly, often overnight, and usually gets better on its own within a few weeks.

Bell's palsy is not the result of a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA). While stroke and TIA can cause facial paralysis, there is no link between Bell's palsy and either of these conditions. But sudden weakness that occurs on one side of your face should be checked by a doctor right away to rule out these more serious causes.

Symptoms of Bell's palsy include:

• Sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of your face that causes it to droop. This is the main symptom. It may make it hard for you to close your eye on that side of your face.
• Drooling.
• Eye problems, such as excessive tearing or a dry eye.
• Loss of ability to taste.
• Pain in or behind your ear.
• Numbness in the affected side of your face.
• Increased sensitivity to sound.

Your doctor may diagnose Bell's palsy by asking you questions, such as about how your symptoms developed. He or she will also give you a physical and neurological exam to check facial nerve function.

If the cause of your symptoms is not clear, you may need other tests, such as blood tests, an MRI, or a CT scan.

Most people who have Bell's palsy recover completely, without treatment, in 1 to 2 months. This is especially true for people who can still partly move their facial muscles. But a small number of people may have permanent muscle weakness or other problems on the affected side of the face.

Treatment with corticosteroid medicines (such as prednisone) can make it more likely that you will regain all facial movement. They work best if they are taken soon after symptoms start (within 3 days). Sometimes antiviral medicines (such as acyclovir) may be added to corticosteroid medicines to treat Bell's palsy. But evidence for using antiviral medicines is weak. They may help in some cases, but in general they do not affect recovery.

Some people may not be able to take corticosteroid medicines because of other health problems. It's important to remember that most people with Bell's palsy recover completely without any treatment.

• Have your child take medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think your child is having a problem with the medicines. You will get more details on the specific medicines your doctor prescribes.
• Use artificial tears if your child's eyes are too dry. Bell's palsy can make your child's lower eyelid droop, causing a dry eye.
• If your child's eye cannot completely close, talk to your child's doctor about taping their eye shut with clear medical tape or using an eye patch at bedtime. This may help your child sleep.
• Have your child wear glasses or goggles to keep dust and dirt out of the eye.
• Help your child brush and floss their teeth often to help prevent tooth decay.