Overview
Bell palsy is a sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face caused by temporary inflammation of the facial nerve. It usually comes on over hours to a day or two and can be alarming because it can resemble a stroke. Most people recover well, often within weeks to months.
Symptoms
- Rapid drooping of one side of the face
- Difficulty closing one eye
- Drooling or trouble keeping food in the mouth
- Loss of taste on part of the tongue
- Pain around the jaw or behind the ear
- Increased sensitivity to sound in one ear
- Difficulty making facial expressions on one side
Causes & risk factors
- Inflammation of the facial nerve, often after a viral infection
- Reactivation of common viruses such as those causing cold sores
- Often no clear cause identified
- Possibly triggered by recent illness or pregnancy
Treatment & self-care
Because facial drooping can also be a sign of a stroke, urgent assessment is needed to rule that out. Once Bell palsy is diagnosed, care often includes protecting the affected eye from drying out and treatments that work best when started early. A clinician will confirm the diagnosis and guide recovery.
See a doctor urgently if
- Sudden facial drooping (seek emergency care immediately to rule out a stroke)
- Weakness or numbness in an arm or leg
- Difficulty speaking, understanding, or swallowing
- Severe headache or vision changes
- The eye cannot close or becomes red and painful
This condition can be an emergency. If any of the signs above are severe or getting worse, go to the nearest emergency room now or call your local emergency number — do not wait for an online consultation.