Health Encyclopedia

Bell palsy

Definition

Bell palsy is a disorder of the nerve that controls movement of the muscles in the face. This nerve is called the facial or seventh cranial nerve.

Damage to this nerve causes weakness or paralysis of these muscles. Paralysis means that you cannot use the muscles at all.

Alternative Names

Facial palsy; Idiopathic peripheral facial palsy; Cranial mononeuropathy - Bell palsy; Bell's palsy

Causes

Bell palsy can affect people of any age, most commonly those over age 65 years. It can also affect children younger than 10 years. Males and females are equally affected.

Bell palsy is thought to be due to swelling (inflammation) of the facial nerve in the area where it travels through the bones of the skull. This nerve controls movement of the muscles of the face.

The cause is often not clear. A type of herpes infection called herpes simplex or herpes zoster might be involved. Other conditions that may cause Bell palsy include:

HIV/AIDS infection
Lyme disease
Middle ear infection
Sarcoidosis (inflammation of the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, eyes, skin, or other tissues)

Having diabetes and being pregnant may increase the risk for Bell palsy.

Symptoms

Sometimes, you may have a cold shortly before the symptoms of Bell palsy begin.

Symptoms most often start suddenly, but may take 2 to 3 days to show up. They do not become more severe after that.

Symptoms are almost always on one side of the face only. They may range from mild to severe.

Many people feel discomfort behind the ear before weakness is noticed. The face feels stiff or pulled to one side and may look different. Other signs can include:

Difficulty closing one eye
Difficulty eating and drinking because food falls out of one side of the mouth
Drooling due to lack of control over the muscles of the face
Drooping of the face, such as the eyelid or corner of the mouth
Problems smiling, grimacing, or making facial expressions
Twitching or weakness of the muscles in the face

Other symptoms that may occur:

Dry eye, which may lead to eye sores or infections
Dry mouth
Headache if there is an infection such as Lyme disease
Loss of sense of taste
Sound that is louder in one ear (hyperacusis)

Exams and Tests

Often, Bell palsy can be diagnosed just by taking a health history and doing a complete physical exam.

Blood tests will be done to look for medical problems such as Lyme disease, which may cause Bell palsy.

Sometimes, a test is needed to check the nerves that supply the muscles of the face:

Electromyography (EMG) to check the health of the facial muscles and the nerves that control the muscles
Nerve conduction test to check how fast electrical signals move through a nerve

If your health care provider is worried there is another cause for your symptoms, you may need:

Treatment

Often, no treatment is needed. Symptoms often begin to improve right away. But, it may take weeks or even months for the muscles to get stronger.

Your provider may give you lubricating eye drops or eye ointments to keep the surface of the eye moist if you can't close it completely. You may need to wear an eye patch while you sleep.

Sometimes, medicines may be used, but it isn't known how much they help. If medicines are used, they are started right away. Common medicines are:

Corticosteroids, which may reduce swelling around the facial nerve
Medicines such as valacyclovir to fight the virus that may be causing Bell palsy

Surgery to relieve pressure on the nerve (decompression surgery) has not been shown to benefit most people with Bell palsy.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Most cases go away completely within a few weeks to months.

If you did not lose all of your nerve function and symptoms began to improve within 3 weeks, you are more likely to regain all or most of the strength in your facial muscles.

Sometimes, the following symptoms may still be present:

Long-term changes in taste
Spasms of muscles or eyelids
Weakness that remains in facial muscles

Possible Complications

Complications may include:

Eye surface becoming dry, leading to eye sores, infections, and vision loss
Swelling in the muscles due to loss of nerve function

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your provider right away if your face droops or you have other symptoms of Bell palsy. Your provider can rule out other, more serious conditions, such as stroke.

Prevention

There is no known way to prevent Bell palsy.

References

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Bell's palsy. www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/bells-palsy. Updated February 7, 2023. Accessed May 3, 2023.

Ryan MM. Bell palsy. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 635.

Schlieve T, Miloro M, Kolokythas A. Diagnosis and management of trigeminal and facial nerve injuries. In: Fonseca RJ, ed. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 5.

Wallenstein J. Brain and cranial nerve disorders. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 91.

Review Date:4/25/2022
Reviewed By:Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.