Bell's palsy

Symptoms

Symptoms of Bell's palsy include:

• weakness on 1 side of your face, or not being able to move 1 side of your face – this usually happens over a few days
• a drooping eyelid or corner of your mouth
• drooling
• a dry mouth
• loss of taste
• a dry or watering eye

You may also find it difficult to close the eye on the weak side of your face.

Rarely, you may not be able to move both sides of your face.

Treatment Options

Treatments for Bell's palsy include:

• a 10-day course of steroid medicine, sometimes with antiviral medicine
• eye drops and ointment to stop the affected eye drying out
• surgical tape to keep the eye closed at bedtime

If you cannot close your eye, you may need treatment to prevent damage to your vision.

When to see a Doctor

See a General Physician (GP) urgently if:

• you have symptoms of Bell's palsy

It's important to get help as soon as possible because treatment for Bell's palsy is more effective if started early (within 72 hours).

Call an ambulance or visit the emergency department if:

• somebody's face droops on 1 side (the mouth or eye may have drooped)
• a person cannot lift up both arms and keep them there
• a person has difficulty speaking (speech may be slurred or garbled)

These can be signs of a stroke, which is a medical emergency.

Recovering from Bell's palsy

Your Bell's palsy symptoms should get better within 6 months, but it can take longer for some people.

Go back to see a GP if your symptoms are not getting better after 3 weeks.

Some people can have permanent facial weakness and symptoms such as:

• pain in their face, around the jaw and behind the ear
• a constantly watering eye
• difficulty eating and drinking
• changes in their sense of taste
• difficulty with loud sounds

Living with Bell's palsy can make you feel depressed, stressed or anxious. Speak to a GP if it's affecting your mental health.

You'll usually only get Bell's palsy once, but rarely it can come back, sometimes years later.