Bell's palsy

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Ptosis, drooping of the eyelid

Facial drooping

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Bell's palsy

Alternative Names:

Facial palsy

Treatment:

In many cases, no treatment is necessary. The goal of treatment is to relieve the symptoms.

Corticosteroids or antiviral medications may reduce swelling and relieve pressure on the facial nerve. These drugs must be given early to be most effective (preferably within 24 hours of the onset of paralysis).

Lubricating eye drops or eye ointments may be recommended to protect the eye if it cannot be closed completely. The eye may need to be patched during sleep to protect it.

Surgical procedures to decompress the facial nerve have not been shown to routinely benefit people with Bell's palsy.

Expectations (prognosis):

The outcome varies. Approximately 60% to 80% of cases resolve completely within a few weeks to months. Some cases result in permanent changes. The disorder is not a threat to life.

Complications:

Disfigurement from loss of facial movement
Damage to the eye (corneal ulcers and infections)
Chronic spasm of face muscles or eyelids
Chronic taste abnormalities
Synkinesis (abnormality in re-innervation of muscles resulting in tears when laughing or inappropriate salivation)

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if facial drooping or other symptoms of Bell's palsy occur. Only a trained health care provider can discriminate Bell's palsy from other, more serious conditions, such as stroke. If you develop signs of Bell's palsy, call your health care provider immediately so that a stroke can be ruled out as quickly as possible.

Review Date: 7/20/2004
Reviewed By: Joseph V. Campellone, M.D., Division of Neurology, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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