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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
Signs and symptoms of Bell's palsy come on suddenly, and may include:
- Rapid onset of mild weakness to total paralysis on one side of your face — occurring within hours to days — making it difficult to smile or close your eye on the affected side
- Facial droop and difficulty making facial expressions
- Pain around the jaw or in or behind your ear on the affected side
- Increased sensitivity to sound on the affected side
- Headache
- A decrease in your ability to taste
- Changes in the amount of tears and saliva you produce
In rare cases, Bell's palsy can affect the nerves on both sides of your face.
When to see a doctor
Seek immediate medical help if you experience paralysis, because you may be having a stroke. Actual Bell's palsy is not caused by a stroke.
See your doctor if you experience facial weakness or drooping, to determine the underlying cause and severity of the illness.
- Bell's palsy fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/bells/detail_bells.htm. Accessed Nov. 10, 2009.
- Ronthal M. Bell's palsy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 11, 2009.
- Bell's palsy. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/bellsPalsy.cfm. Accessed Nov. 10, 2009.
- Bell's palsy. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec16/ch219/ch219i.html. Accessed Nov. 11, 2009.
- Cardoso JR, et al. Effects of exercises on Bell's palsy: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Ontology & Neurotology. 2008;29:557.
- De Almeida JR, et al. Combined corticosteroid and antiviral treatment for Bell palsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2009;302:985.
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