• This is a type of facial paralysis, occurring suddenly on one side of the face.  It is thought to be caused by an inflammation of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII).  60% of afflicted patients get better without treatment, while 90% of those receiving treatment show improvement.  Since a Stroke may have a similar appearance, it is important to make sure that Bell's palsy is truly the cause.  Rare tumors can also cause similar symptoms, and these need to be excluded as well.

• Ear pain may precede the attack
• Face feels stiff
• Difficulty closing the eyelids
• Difficulty eating and smiling
• Loss of taste on one side of the tongue
• Hypersensitivity to noises
• Bell's palsy often follows an upper respiratory infection.
• Excessive eye tearing or lack of tearing on one side.

• Unknown
• Exposure to a virus or cold may be the cause in some cases.
• Facial nerve injury due to head trauma, tumors, Herpes Zoster, or Herpes Simplex vesicles in the outer ear canal (Ramsay-Hunt syndrome) can also lead to paralysis of facial nerve.
• Bilateral facial paralysis occurs very rarely, and is often due to neurological disease such as Guillain-Barre syndrome.

• Examination

- CT scan or MRI may be done to rule out Stroke.

• No treatment is an option, especially if the paralysis is mild.
• Eye patch is helpful if the eye cannot close completely.
• Corticosteroids, e.g., Prednisone
• Corticosteroids work best if they are started sooner than later.
• Lubricating eye drops, if the eyelid remains open.
• Recent studies show that Acyclovir (an anti-viral medication) may be helpful.

• Stroke
• Transient Ischemic Attack