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Treatments Last Updated: 4/6/2021
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Bell’s palsy is a mysterious condi tio n. Symptoms can arise suddenly but
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What is Bell's palsy?
Medical news
Bell’s palsy—also called acute peripheral facial palsy—is paralysis or
weakness in one half of the face due to swelling and compression
(squeezing) of the seventh cranial nerve. This nerve branches out to the
nerves that control the facial muscles, saliva glands, tear glands, and the
nerve that transmits taste sensations.
Bell’s palsy is an uncommon condition, but anyone can get it. About 30- to
40,000 people experience a bout with Bell’s palsy each year. Symptoms
come on quickly—within hours or days—and peak in about three days. The
vast majority of patients fully recover without treatment in less than three
weeks.
Researchers are baffled on what causes Bell’s palsy, so they classify the
condition as “idiopathic facial paralysis.” One theory holds that the condition
is triggered by a viral infection. Culprits include the cold sore virus (herpes
simplex virus), chickenpox, shingles (or herpes zoster) virus (varicella-zoster
virus), the mononucleosis virus (Epstein-Barr), and a litany of other viral
suspects. Most people who get Bell’s palsy, however, have no evidence of a
viral infection, so some researchers believe it might be due to an immune
response or autoimmune disorder.
No matter what the cause, swelling damages the cranial nerve. In most
cases (70%), cranial nerve damage is superficial and limited to the protective
sheath around the cranial nerve. The body repairs the damage quickly, and
complete recovery is achieved within two to five weeks. If there is more
extensive damage to the nerve—the “wires” themselves are cut—the body
needs to repair the damage by regrowing new nerves to the facial muscles.
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10/8/21, 12:21 PM Bell's Palsy Treatments & Medications | SingleCare

Not only is recovery slow, but the process is imperfect and may result in long-
term or permanent complications such as
PermanentTypefacial muscl
your e weakness
drug name Search
Shortening (contracture)
Skip ofto the facial muscles on the affected side
content
Tightness or rigidity of the facial muscles on the affected side
Pulling sensations in the face
Synkinesis, that is, moving one part of the face provokes an involuntary
Home deliverymovement Support of the face. For instance, a personSign
in another partMore
smile, but the eyelid closesBonus
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may tryinto

How is Bell's palsyBrowse Discount

diagnosed? cards
prescriptionsHow it works
Mobil
Bell’s palsy is diagnosed primariFind
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ly fromathe
tests are unnecessary unless aHealth
pharmacy
symptoms. Imaging and blood
healthcareconditions
provider suspects another
condition might be responsibleMedical
for the paralnews
ysis.
Some people are more at risk for Bell’s than others. Age (40-49), pregnancy,
diabetes, preeclampsia, obesity, and high blood pressure are all risk factors.
In a physical examination, a healthcare provider wil be looking for specific
Bell’s palsy symptoms:
Rapid onset of symptoms
Weakness or paralysis of all the muscles on one side of the face
Weakness or paralysis of the forehead on the affected side of the face
Drooping eyebrow
Inability to fully close the eyelid on the affected side
Decreased tear or saliva production
Drooling
Loss of taste
Pain behind the ear or around the jaw
Because one eyelid may not close, eye irritation and dry eye are also
common symptoms of Bell’s palsy. Even though tear production goes down,
the drooping of the lower eyelid may result in a steady flow of tears, called
crocodile tears.
There is a high chance that adults and especial y children with Bell’s palsy
actually have another—often more serious— condition such as Lyme
disease, ear infection (otitis media), Ramsay Hunt syndrome, sarcoidosis,
Guil ain-Barre syndrome, cancer, stroke, or multiple sclerosis. Both the
physical and the medical history wil help a physician determine if some
other il ness is at work.
If h i f h ibl di i h i i
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 If there are no signs of another possible condition, a physician can make a
10/8/21, 12:21 PM Bell's Palsy Treatments & Medications | SingleCare

diagnosis based only on the history and symptoms.

If the paralysiType
s is severe, Search on studies or
the physician may order nerve conducti
your drug name
an electromyography (EMG)Skipto todetermi ne how well facial nerves are working.
content
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a CT scan wil be ordered if the
physician suspects the symptoms are caused by another condition.
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Bell's palsy treatment More Sign in
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70% of patients with Bell’s palsyBrowse
cards
experienceprescriptions
total remission without treatment
in less than three weeks. Half ofMobil e
the remaiApps How
ning patients experi enceitnear-total
works
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remission by three months. Treatment,
involves a few days of oral cortiHealtha pharmacy
then, is conservati
costeroids.conditions
v e and
Persistent symptoms or
usual ly
complications can be managed with surgery or physical therapy.
Medical news
Medications
Bell’s palsy is nearly always treated with oral corticosteroids alone or in
combination with antiviral agents. Corticosteroids reduce swelling, alleviate
symptoms, speed recovery, and reduce the risk of complications. It’s
uncertain that adding antiviral treatment does any good, but it may slightly
reduce the risk of complications.
Surgery
Occasionally, doctors performed surgical decompression, removing some of
the swollen tissue around the irritated nerve, on patients with severe and
persistent Bell’s palsy symptoms, but it is only employed in rare cases.
For patients with persistent symptoms, eyelid surgery may be required to
prevent injury to the eye. If the eyelid doesn’t close, dry eye can then cause
tears and ulcers. Surgery may involve implanting eyelid weights or sewing
the corners of the eyelids together to narrow the opening (tarsorrhaphy).
Synkinesis or muscle tightness can be treated with botulinum toxin injections.
Botulinum toxin temporarily paralyzes the nerves causing the involuntary
facial movements, restoring normal facial function for a few months.
Finally, when facial paralysis is considered permanent, a plastic surgeon wil
use muscle transfer to restore some muscle function in the face. This involves
cutting a part of a working muscle in the face and connecting that part to
an area of the face that’s paralyzed.
Ph i lth
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10/8/21, 12:21 PM
Physical therapy Bell's Palsy Treatments & Medications | SingleCare

For patients wiType

th persistent complications due to Bell’s palSearch
sy—such as
synkinesis—facial neuromuscular retraining uses a series of exercises to
your drug name
teach patients how to re-coordi
Skip nate
to facial movements. Most of the exercises
content
can be done at home.
Bell's palsy
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Bell’s palsy has a high rate of spontaneous
use drugs conservatively. NearlBrowse
cards
recovery, so healthcare providers
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casesewiApps
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th over-the-counter pain relievers.
Corticosteroids Health conditions
Medical news
Steroids reduce swelling and thus take the pressure off the compressed
cranial nerve. Research has shown that no matter how severe the paralysis,
corticosteroids speed recovery, alleviate symptoms, and reduce other
consequences such as synkinesis. Oral prednisone or prednisolone is given
over ten days in a tapering dose.
Antivirals
Bell’s palsy may or may not be related to a viral infection, so severe cases wil
involve early treatment with antiviral medications and corticosteroids to
reduce the risk of complications. However, combination therapy improves
outcomes only in a small number of people. Patients wil be put on either a
seven-day course of acyclovir or valacyclovir medications. These drugs slow
down the growth of herpes and varicella-zoster viruses.
Pain relievers
For patients experiencing pain or headache due to Bell’s palsy, over-the-
counter pain relievers are enough to manage the pain. NSAIDs (nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin, not only
alleviate pain but help to reduce swelling. Acetaminophen, an over-the-
counter pain reliever, can be used by people who are unable to tolerate
NSAIDs.
What is the best medication for Bell's palsy?
Healthcare professionals use medications primarily to speed recovery and
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10/8/21, 12:21 PM Bell's Palsy Treatments & Medications | SingleCare

reduce the risk of nerve damage and long-term complications. Because

each case is different, there is no “best” medication for Bell’s palsy.
Type your drug name Search
Best medications
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Drug Name Drug Class Administration Standard
Common
Home delivery Support More SideSign
Route Effectsin
Dosage
Bonus savings60-80 mg Behavi or
Discount cardsper day in a and mood
Prednisone
Browse
CorticosteroidMobil
prescriptions changes,
Orale Apps tapering Howflretenti
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Find a pharmacy dose for 10 trouble
Health conditions slinediepigesting,on
days
Medical news
Two 30 mg Behavi or
tablets per and mood
changes,
Orapred day in a
(prednisolone) Corticosteroid Oral tapering flretentiuid
dose for 10 troubleon,
days sleeping
Two 200 mg
capsules
Zovirax every four Nausea,
(acyclovir) Antiviral Oral hours five malaise,
times a day diarrhea
for seven
days
One 1 gram Headache,
Valtrex caplet taken nausea,
(valacyclovir) Antiviral Oral three times abdominal
a day for pain
seven days
Two 325 mg
tablets Nausea,
Tylenol every four to stomach
(acetaminophen) Anal g esic Oral six hours pain, loss of
(Max of
3000mg per appetite
day)
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10/8/21, 12:21 PM Bell's Palsy Treatments & Medications | SingleCare

One 200 mg Nausea,

Advil (ibuprofen) NSAID Oral tablet every bleeding,
Type your drug name four toSearch
six stomach
hours pain
Skip to content One or two
325 mg Upset
capsules or stomach,
Home delivery Support More
Aspirin NSAID Oral Sign
tablets with heartburn,in
Bonus savingswater per bleeding
Discount cardsday
Browse prescriptionsHow it works
Many of the standard dosagesMobil e
above are Apps
from the U.S. Food and Drug
Find
Administration (FDA) and the NationalaInsti
pharmacy
tutes of Health (NIH). Dosage is
Health
determined by your doctor based on yourconditions
medical condition, response to
Medical
treatment, age, and weight. Other
complete list.
possiblenews
side effects exist. This is not a

What are the common side effects of Bell's

palsy medication?
Bell’s palsy medications have several side effects that can vary based on the
type of medication. This is not a complete list of possible side effects, so you
should consult with a healthcare professional if you have concerns about
possible side effects or drug interactions.
Oral corticosteroids cause side effects in many people. The most common
are mood and behavior changes, mood swings, aggressiveness, appetite
changes, high blood sugar, and elevated blood pressure. Other side effects
include confusion, memory problems, thinning skin, and bruising. The most
severe side effects are related to high blood pressure and high blood sugar,
such as cataracts and glaucoma.
Acyclovir and valacyclovir are similar medications, so patients may
experience side effects such as nausea, vomiting, headache, stomach pain,
and diarrhea. Side effects are more commonly experienced by people taking
these drugs long-term to control herpes infection outbreaks.
Over-the-counter pain relievers are very safe. NSAIDs reduce the body’s
ability to form blood clots and protect the digestive system from stomach
acid, so the most common side effects are stomach pain, gastrointestinal
bleeding, bruising, and bleeding problems. Acetaminophen does not affect
blood clotting, so the most serious side effect is an overdose which can
d h li Th f d h ld b li i d 3000
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 damage the liver. Therefore, doses should be limited to 3000 mg every 24
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hours.
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What is the best home remedy for Bell's
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palsy? Skip to content

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Bell’s palsy treatment is largely More Sign
a waiting game. Fortunately, spontaneous in
recovery is the norm. Home remedi Bonus savings
es, however, can help reduce pain and
prevent complications. Discount cards
Protect your eye Browse Mobile Apps
prescriptionsHow it works
If your eyelid is not fully closing,Find a
eye carepharmacy
is paramount. Regularly use
lubricating eye drops to keep theHealth surfaceconditions
of the eye moist. At nighttime, use
an eye ointment right before bedti Medical
me. Medinews
cal tape can keep the eyelid
completely closed when you sleep. An eyepatch or goggles can protect the
eye from irritants or injury during the daytime.
Do facial exercises
Facial exercises may help reduce the risk of complications, but they should
only be done in the recovering (paresis) phase. These exercises can be done
at home in a mirror. You can learn them from a physical therapist, facial
retraining therapist, or online.
Use warm compresses
You can manage pain with over-the-counter pain relievers, but applying a
warm, moist cloth is safer and may be an equally effective way to reduce the
pain.
Gently massage the face
Gentle massage also effectively reduces pain and discomfort and loosens
overly tight muscles. It only takes five to seven minutes of massage several
times a day.
Do relaxation exercises
If recovery is taking a long time, physical therapists strongly recommend
facial muscle relaxation exercises to avoid complications such as muscle
contractures and rigidity. Once or twice a day, sit down in a quiet space,
close your eyes, focus on the facial muscles, and relax them one at a time
until the entire face is relaxed
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10/8/21, 12:21 PM
until the entire face is relaxed.
Bell's Palsy Treatments & Medications | SingleCare

Stay calm Type your drug name Search

During the healing process,Skipyourtobody is in charge. Stress and worry
content
compromise the processes that the body uses to heal damage. To maximize
the body’s ability to heal the nerve damage, stay calm, keep rested, and
don’t fret. Take care of yourself so that your body can take care of you.
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Frequently asked Bonus questions
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cards
palsy Browse prescriptionsHow it works
Is Bell's palsy curable? Mobil e Apps
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Bell’s palsy has a high rate of fulHealth conditions
l and spontaneous recovery with or without
Medical
treatment. It usually takes less than news
three weeks to fully resolve. About 30% of
people struck with Bell’s palsy may take a longer time to recover or have
long-term complications.
Is Bell's palsy caused by stress?
No one knows what causes Bell’s palsy, but most scientists believe it is related
to a viral infection. Stress and injury do weaken the immune system, so stress
may be a factor in triggering the condition. However, stress does not cause
Bell’s palsy.
Is Bell's palsy a mini-stroke?
Bell’s palsy is a compression of the seventh cranial nerve as it emerges
through a narrow tunnel of bone. A stroke is when brain cells die due to
bleeding or when they are starved of oxygen.
How long does it take to recover from Bell's palsy?
In most patients, Bell’s palsy goes away in less than three weeks.
What should I eat if I have Bell's palsy?
There is no evidence that diet wil help Bell’s palsy or reduce the risk of
complications. As always, the best diet for Bell’s palsy, as for any medical
condition, is a healthy diet rich in nutrients. Stay away from sugar or high
carbohydrate foods. Spikes in blood sugar increase swelling throughout the
body. Cranial nerve swelling is the heart of the problem.
Wh ti th f t t
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What is the fastest way to cure Bell's palsy?

Bell's Palsy Treatments & Medications | SingleCare

Bell’s palsy, unfortunatel y, is a waiting game. There is noSearch

quick fix. The body
must repair the nerve damage in its own time. Most people with Bell’s palsy
Type your drug name

wil experience only superfiSkipcial todamage

contentto the cranial nerve and
spontaneous and full recovery occurs in about two to five weeks.
Corticosteroids do help speed up recovery. For people with more extensive
damage to the
Home delivery cranial nerve, theMore
Support body has to regrow all the nervesSign
to the in
face, a process that could take months or years. Early treatment with
corticosteroids and antiviral medi Bonus
cationssavings
wil help reduce complications.
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What are the signs of recovery Browse fromprescriptions
Bell’s palsy?
After the first two or three daysMobil e Appspeople with BelHow itsyworks
Find
notice a gradual recovery of muscl
of a pharmacy
symptoms,
e functiconditions
l’s pal
on. Some muscles start working
wil
Health
before others, so you wil noticeMedical
a gradual return of facial tone and functi on.
Full recovery typically happens in three weeks,newsbut some people continue to
have muscle weakness for several months. After complete recovery, facial
tone and function wil be balanced between both sides of the face.
What happens if Bell's palsy goes untreated?
Most cases of Bell’s palsy spontaneously remit after a few weeks with no
treatment. However, for severe facial paralysis, treatment does help reduce
the risk of permanent nerve damage.
What vitamin is good for Bell's palsy?
As for any medical condition, eat a healthy diet with sufficient vitamins and
other nutrients. Both vitamins B6 and B12 are essential for healthy nerve
functioning, so be sure that you are eating foods rich in these vitamins, such
as turkey, beans, potatoes, spinach, milk, and fish.
Does ibuprofen help Bell's palsy?
Ibuprofen and other over-the-counter pain medications can help relieve the
pain and discomfort caused by Bell’s palsy.
Does chewing gum help Bell's palsy?
Bell’s palsy does not affect the muscles used to chew food. Those muscles
are controlled by the trigeminal nerve, whereas Bell’s palsy results from
compression of the seventh cranial nerve. Chewing gum is often suggested
as a good exercise for Bell’s palsy, but it not only doesn’t help, it increases the
risk of developing synkinesis, a serious long-term complication of Bell’s palsy.
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10/8/21, 12:21 PM Bell's Palsy Treatments & Medications | SingleCare

Synkinesis is the body’s attempt to “rewire” the face to get muscles working
again. As a result, trying to move one muscle in the face, such as the mouth,
moves anotherTypemuscl
youre idrug
n thename
face, such as an eyelid. Search
Can Bell Palsy be a sign Skip toofcontent
something else?
The symptoms of Bell’s palsy can be caused by several more serious
Home delivery Support
conditions such as Lyme disease, More
Hunt syndrome, sarcoidosis, GuiBonus syndrome, cancer, stroke,Sign
or in
bacterial infections of the ear, Ramsay
l ain-Barresavings
multiple sclerosis.
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Related resourcesBrowse prescriptions
Mobile Appspalsy How it works
for Bell's
21 Exercises for Bell’s PalsyFind a pharmacy
Bell Palsy Health conditions
Bell’s Palsy: Diagnosis andMedical news
Management
Bell’s Palsy Fact Sheet
Facial Paralysis and Bell’s Palsy Foundation
Facial Retraining—Essential Elements

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