Learn about Bell's palsy symptoms from Consumer Reports Health.

Bell's palsy

What are the symptoms of Bell's palsy?

If you have Bell's palsy, your face muscles suddenly become weak, probably on just one side of your face. You might find your face droops and you can't move one eyelid. This can be upsetting, but it is usually only temporary.

These are some of the symptoms you might get.

Source:
Piercy J.
Bell's palsy 10 minute consultation.
BMJ. 2005; 330: 1374.

Source:
National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS)
Bell's palsy fact sheet.
July 2008. Available at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/bells/detail_bells.htm (accessed on 18 December 2008).

Your face may droop on one side.
You may find it difficult to close or open one eye.
Your speech may be slurred.
You may find it hard to keep saliva (spit) and drinks inside your mouth. So you might dribble from the affected side.
Chewing food can be difficult on the affected side.
You may get an ache behind your ear for a few days. But Bell's palsy isn't usually painful.

Source:
Adour KK.
Current concepts in neurology: diagnosis and management of facial paralysis.
New England Journal of Medicine. 1982; 307: 348-351.

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You may find loud sounds uncomfortable, and normal noises sound louder than usual.
You may lose your sense of taste on the side of your tongue that is affected.
You may not be able to frown or smile.

These symptoms might make you feel anxious and self-conscious. You might find communicating difficult if you can't use your face to smile or frown.

The weakness in your face muscles comes on quickly. It might get worse over the course of two days.

Source:
Holland NJ, Weiner G.
Recent developments in Bell's palsy.
BMJ. 2004; 329: 553-557.

⁴

How your face is affected depends on how serious the damage is to your nerve. The symptoms of Bell's palsy vary from person to person. You might have only a mild weakness. This is called partial palsy. Or you might not have any movement at all (paralysis) on one side of your face. This is called complete palsy. Some people get Bell's palsy (partial or complete) on both sides of their face, but this is rare.

If you can't close your eye properly, the eye may get dry and could get damaged. So you may need to use eye drops to keep it wet or surgical tape to keep it closed. Your doctor will be able to tell you what is most suitable for you.

Source:
Piercy J.
Bell's palsy 10 minute consultation.
BMJ. 2005; 330: 1374.

Bell's palsy affects only the nerves and muscles in your face. If you feel weak or numb in other parts of your body, you should tell your doctor.

Sources for the information on this page:

Piercy J.Bell's palsy 10 minute consultation.BMJ. 2005; 330: 1374.

National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS)Bell's palsy fact sheet.July 2008. Available at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/bells/detail_bells.htm (accessed on 18 December 2008).

Adour KK.Current concepts in neurology: diagnosis and management of facial paralysis.New England Journal of Medicine. 1982; 307: 348-351.

Holland NJ, Weiner G.Recent developments in Bell's palsy.BMJ. 2004; 329: 553-557.

This information was last updated on Jan 09, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
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