Nervous System Channel
Topics
Medications
Quicklinks
Related Channels
Information on Bell's Palsy
Bell's palsy is a temporary form of facial paralysis that usually occurs as a result of nerve damage due to trauma. How long the condition lasts depends on the extent of nerve damage. With or without treatment, most individuals begin to get better within two weeks after the initial onset of symptoms and recover completely within three to six months.
Symptoms of Bell's palsy usually begin suddenly and peak within 48 hours. They can range in severity from mild weakness to total paralysis, and may include:
- Twitching, weakness, or paralysis on one or both sides of the face
- Drooping eyelid or corner of the mouth
- Dry eye or mouth
- Excessive tearing in the eye.
(Click Bell's Palsy for more information, including possible treatment options, what causes this condition, how it is diagnosed, and more.)
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD