Bell’s palsy is a medical problem causing weakness of the muscles on one side of the face. It is usually temporary - with most people making a full recovery within two to three months. It comes on suddenly and the cause is unknown.
The facial nerve supplies the muscles in your face. In Bell’s palsy this nerve is affected, leading to weakness or paralysis of the muscles that control smiling, frowning, eating and closing the eyelids. It can also affect your ability to taste.
Bell’s palsy can affect men and women of any age but is most common in 15-45 year olds. In the UK it affects approximately one in 70 people at some point in their lifetime.
The symptoms of Bell’s palsy often occur very quickly, over a few hours or overnight. The weakness or paralysis usually affects one side of your face.
You may have been prescribed oral steroids (prednisolone) if your symptoms started in the last 3 days. If you have been prescribed steroids take 50mg (10 tablets) once a day for 10 days along with omeprazole 20mg once a day for 14 days then stop. Steroids may help to reduce inflammation and decrease the likelihood of damage to the facial nerve.
As the facial muscle may not be functioning fully, food may become lodged around the teeth and gums on the affected side. Make sure you remember to clean this area well and remove all debris after eating.
Eye care is very important if your eye is affected. If your eye does not close when blinking:
Video: www.facialpalsy.org.uk/support/patient-guides/how-to-tape-eye-closed-adults/
Exercises can be useful to tone the facial muscles as the movement begins to return, perform 10 each of these exercises 4 times a day:
75 to 90 people in every 100 people who have Bell’s palsy start to improve within three weeks, and make a full recovery within two to three months. However, about five to 10 people in every 100 people who have Bell’s palsy have some slight weakness which remains forever. Rarely there may be little or no improvement.
Most people with Bell’s palsy make a full recovery in 3 weeks to 3 months. If you do not make a full recovery in 3 weeks then make an appointment with your GP.
If you are unable to close your eye normally and develop pain, stinging or visual disturbance please attend the Eye Casualty at the Bristol Eye Hospital in the next 24 hours. The Bristol Eye Hospital Casualty is open 7 days a week from 8.30am - 4.30pm. Further information can be found at www.uhbristol.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/your-hospitals/bristol-eye-hospital/how-to-find-us/
© North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published June 2022. Review due June 2025. NBT003415