Bell's palsy is a sudden weakness, drooping or paralysis of some of the facial muscles. It usually occurs on one side of the face. Although the symptoms can be distressing, most people fully recover from Bell's palsy within a couple of months without any treatment.
An inability to move or feel; a loss of muscle function or sensation.
The symptoms of Bell's palsy tend to develop suddenly - within hours - often worsening over the first 3-5 days. Not everyone gets all the symptoms and they do vary in severity. Bell's palsy usually only affects one side of the face, although on rare occasions it can occur on both sides.
Symptoms of Bell's palsy include:
The symptoms of Bell's palsy can be similar to a number of other conditions, some of which, such as stroke, are very serious. Seeking medical attention as soon as possible, once symptoms are noticed, is important to rule out serious conditions and to make sure that treatment is as effective as possible.
The type of chickenpox virus that causes shingles.
An inability to move or feel; a loss of muscle function or sensation.
Bell's palsy occurs because of inflammation and compression of the facial nerve (also known as the seventh cranial nerve).
The facial nerve carries neural signals between the brain and:
The facial nerve exits the skull just under the ear, through a bony canal and then branches out across the face. If the nerve becomes inflamed, it can become swollen and compressed inside the canal. This means that blood and oxygen cannot reach the nerve fibers within the nerve, which can lead to damage. It also means that the neural signals cannot pass along the nerve fibers, which lead to the symptoms described above.
Symptoms will depend on the extent of damage to the facial nerve. In some cases, damage may only occur to the layer around the nerve (called the myelin sheath), which acts like an insulator for nerve fibers. In this situation, symptoms will tend to be mild and the recovery rapid. In other cases, more extensive damage may be to the actual nerve fibers, resulting in more severe symptoms and longer period of recovery.
Exactly what causes this inflammation is not completely understood. It is thought that in many cases, it may be due to a viral infection.
Viruses that have been linked with Bell's palsy include:
Other viruses may also cause Bell's palsy and it can also occur as a complication of pneumonia.
Signs of Bell's palsy.
Bell's palsy can happen to anyone at any age, although it is less common in children under 15 years of age and in people over 60 years of age. Bell's palsy occurs in men and women equally.
Bell's palsy occurs more commonly in:
A metabolic disorder that is caused by problems with insulin secretion and regulation and which is characterized by high blood sugar levels. Also known as diabetes mellitus.
A virus transmitted mainly by sexual or blood-to-blood contact, that infects cells of the immune system. It is the causative agent of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Because the symptoms of Bell's palsy are similar to a number of other conditions that can cause sudden weakness in the facial muscles, part of diagnosing Bell's is to rule out these conditions.
Conditions that can cause similar symptoms include:
There is no single test for Bell's palsy. In most cases, a doctor's examination can rule out other causes and diagnose Bell's palsy. If the cause of the facial weakness is not clear, further tests may be required.
Tests include:
Electromyography tests the function of the branches of the facial nerve by measuring the electrical activity in muscles. It can indicate the extent and severity of the nerve damage.
Blood tests can help to identify other problems that may be causing or contributing to muscle weakness, such as diabetes or infections such as Lyme disease.
A blood test can identify conditions such as diabetes and Lyme disease.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create an image composed of multiple cross-sections. This creates a detailed image that can be used to identify stroke, tumor or tissue damage.
A computerized tomography (CT) scan uses X-rays to develop a 3D image of the body. It can help to identify problems such as facial fractures, tumors, stroke and infections.
A metabolic disorder that is caused by problems with insulin secretion and regulation and which is characterized by high blood sugar levels. Also known as diabetes mellitus.
An autoimmune condition in which antibodies interfere with nerve signals as they travel from nerves to muscles. It causes symptoms of muscle weakness all over the body, which tends to get worse the more a muscle is used.
An inflammatory condition that can affect the organs of the body, particularly the lungs, skin, liver and eyes.
A growth caused by an abnormal and uncontrolled reproduction of cells.
An autoimmune condition triggered by an acute infection, which leads to inflammation of peripheral nerves causing a characteristic pattern of paralysis that begins at the feet and spreads up the body.
The largest salivary glands in the body, which are located on either side of the face and open via their respective ducts into the mouth to secrete saliva.
Most cases of Bell's palsy get better without treatment. However, treatments can help:
Corticosteroids (such as prednisolone) have been shown to help improve the chance of full recovery from Bell's palsy, but treatment needs to start within 72 hours to be effective. Corticosteroids work by helping to reduce inflammation and swelling. For Bell's palsy most people take a short course (around 10 days) of treatment.
Antiviral medications have been used to help to improve recovery from Bell's palsy, but evidence suggests that they are of limited benefit.
Pain medications such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen can help to manage pain associated with Bell's palsy. Moist heat, such as a warm wet cloth applied to the face may also provide relief.
Because the eyelids are affected, it may not be possible for someone with Bell's palsy to blink properly or close their affected eye completely. The front surface of the eye must be kept moist in order to be healthy and for vision to be clear. If it dries out, the eye can become quite painful and vision can be blurred.
Methods to help keep the eye moist include:
Facial exercises may help to strengthen muscles and promote recovery of nerve function. They may not be suitable for all people with Bell's palsy.
Relaxation techniques and acupuncture may be helpful during recovery from Bell's palsy for some people.
Botox® (Botulinum toxin) injections can help people with long-term Bell's palsy in several ways. The effect of these injections is temporary and they will need to be repeated every four months or so.
They may be used to:
In some cases of long-term Bell's palsy, surgery may be recommended to help improve the symmetry of the face.
A form of complementary therapy that involves fine sterilized needles being inserted into the skin at specific points to treat medical conditions.
A substance that hinders the growth and reproduction of viruses.
A medication that resembles the cortisol hormone produced in the brain. It is used as an anti-inflammatory medication.
An unintended movement of one part of the body when a deliberate movement is made by another.
A range of complications can occur with Bell's palsy.
Corticosteroids, such as prednisolone, can cause side effects. Most of the more serious side effects associated with these medications occur with long-term rather than the short-term use that is required to treat Bell's palsy.
Side effects of prednisolone include:
These side effects generally improve within a couple of days of ceasing treatment.
Some people can also experience mood changes, such as feelings of anxiety, after taking corticosteroids for a short period. If this occurs, or any other side effects that are particularly bothering you, it's important to see your doctor straight away.
Most people fully recover from Bell's palsy. However, long-term symptoms can affect around 10% of people. [1]
Facial muscles can become contracted or permanently tight or tense. This can lead to a greater appearance of facial asymmetry, particularly obvious when one eye appears smaller or a cheek appears larger.
If the eyelid muscles are permanently weakened by Bell's palsy, a person is less able to blink and close their eye. This can make the eye dry and uncomfortable and cause blurred vision. The lacrimal gland that produces the tears that coat the front of the eye can also be affected, reducing moisture and causing eye dryness.
The cornea (the clear surface at the front of the eye in front of the iris and pupil) is particularly sensitive to dryness. If it is dry for long periods of time, the cells of the cornea can flake off and this can lead to formation of ulcers. Corneal ulcers can be painful and, if severe, cause significant scarring. This can lead to vision loss.
As the facial nerve recovers from Bell's palsy, new nerve fibers regrow to replace the ones that were damaged. In some cases, nerve fibers can regrow incorrectly. For example, nerve fibers that should connect the brain to the mouth muscles may grow back connecting the brain and the eyelid muscles. This can lead to unintentional movements, as observed with eye-mouth synkinesis. In this condition, when a person is using their mouth muscles to smile or laugh, for example, their eye may wink at the same time.
Similar to synkinesis, sometimes nerve fibers that usually connect the brain to the salivary gland instead regrow to connect to the lacrimal gland that produces tears. This means that when the salivary gland is stimulated, as with eating, extra tears are produced and the eye waters. This is also sometimes called Borgorad's syndrome or crocodile tears syndrome.
If the muscles that affect mouth movement are affected, slurred speech can occur.
If the branches of the facial nerve that connect the brain to the tongue do not repair properly, the sense of taste can be permanently altered.
A feeling of tension, nervousness and dread about future events. It can trigger physical symptoms such as a rapid pulse or breathing difficulties.
A medication that resembles the cortisol hormone produced in the brain. It is used as an anti-inflammatory medication.
Also called the gullet or food pipe, it is the muscular tube connecting the throat and stomach. It is lined with a mucous membrane. After ingestion, food and drink travel down the esophagus to be digested in the stomach.
An unintended movement of one part of the body when a deliberate movement is made by another.
An open sore in the skin or mucous membranes such as those of the stomach lining, intestine or mouth.
Papadakis M. McPhee S.J. (eds.) Rabow M.W. (assoc. ed.) (2014) Current medical diagnosis and treatment 2014 (53rd edition). New York: McGraw-Hill Education.
Most people with Bell's palsy recover completely. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, recovery can start anywhere from a few weeks to months. In severe cases, onset of recovery may take as long as a year. Around 10% people experience long-term problems with Bell's palsy.
Factors that can make long-term symptoms more likely to occur include:
Bell's palsy can recur, but this may not happen until years later.
Bell's palsy is less common in children under 15 years of age, but when it does occur, children tend to recover better than adults. Around 95% of children make a full recovery. [2]
A metabolic disorder that is caused by problems with insulin secretion and regulation and which is characterized by high blood sugar levels. Also known as diabetes mellitus.
An inability to move or feel; a loss of muscle function or sensation.
Facial weakness and Bell’s palsy. The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. Accessed 18 September 2014 from