Bell's Palsy

What is Bell's Palsy?

Bell's palsy is when the muscles on one side of your face become weak or stop working. This happens because a nerve in your face gets swollen or damaged. It's not your fault if this happens to you - it's just something that can occur without warning.

The good news is that Bell's palsy is temporary for most people. With the right treatment, most people get better within 6 months.

Important: When to Call 999

Call 999 straight away if someone has:

• Face dropping on one side (mouth or eye drooping)
• Cannot lift both arms and keep them up
• Difficulty speaking (slurred or jumbled words)

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

What Does Bell's Palsy Feel Like?

The main signs include:

• Weakness on one side of your face - you might not be able to move that side at all
• Your eyelid or corner of your mouth drooping
• Drooling from one side of your mouth
• A dry mouth
• Not being able to taste things properly
• Your eye feeling dry or watering more than usual

You might also find it hard to close the eye on the weak side of your face. This usually happens over a few days, not all at once.

Very rarely, both sides of your face might be affected, but this is unusual.

When to Get Help Urgently

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if you have any signs of Bell's palsy. Don't wait to see if it gets better on its own.

Getting help quickly is really important because treatment works much better if it starts within 3 days (72 hours) of your symptoms beginning.

You can call 111 or use the NHS 111 online service.

How is Bell's Palsy Treated?

Your GP might give you:

• Steroid tablets to take for 10 days (sometimes with antiviral tablets too)
• Eye drops and ointment to stop your eye getting dry
• Special tape to keep your eye closed when you sleep

If you can't close your eye properly, you might need extra treatment to protect your sight.

Getting Better

Most people with Bell's palsy start feeling better within 6 months. However, some people take longer to recover.

Speak to your GP if your symptoms aren't improving after 3 weeks.

Some people might have lasting effects like:

• Some permanent weakness in their face
• Pain around their jaw or behind their ear
• Eyes that water a lot
• Trouble eating or drinking
• Changes in how things taste
• Finding loud sounds uncomfortable

Looking After Your Mental Health

Having Bell's palsy can make you feel upset, worried, or down. This is completely normal - it's hard when your face doesn't look or work the way it usually does.

Speak to your GP if Bell's palsy is affecting how you feel. They can help and support you.

Most people only get Bell's palsy once, but very rarely it can come back years later.

Remember, Bell's palsy is the most common cause of facial weakness, but there are other conditions that can cause similar symptoms. That's why it's important to speak to your GP for proper assessment and treatment.

---

Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.