Facial Nerve Disorders, Including Bell's Palsy

How Is Bell’s Palsy Treated?

Most people with mild symptoms get all better without medicine. Medicines can help severe symptoms. The medicines (e.g., corticosteroids such as prednisone) reduce inflammation (swelling) in the nerve. If an infection such as Lyme disease is suspected to be the cause of Bell’s palsy, the health care provider may give medicine to treat the infection. An eye patch or eye drops or ointment will protect an open eye, which is critical. Rarely, people who don’t recover completely will have an operation to reduce pressure on the facial nerve or improve facial movements.

DOs and DON’Ts in Managing Bell’s Palsy:

• DO follow your health care provider’s directions and take your medicines as prescribed.
• DO tell your health care provider about other medical problems, especially diabetes.
• DO tell your health care provider about your prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
• DO tell your health care provider if you’re pregnant.
• DO tell your health care provider if you recently had a vaccine or a tick bite.
• DO call your health care provider if your symptoms don’t get better or get worse or if you have ringing, dizziness, or deafness in your ear.
• DO call your health care provider right away or go to the emergency room if another part of your body becomes weak or numb.
• DO protect your eye.
• DO call your health care provider if your eye stays red and irritated or becomes painful or if you cannot stop drooling.
• DO call your health care provider if you have problems with medicines.

• DON’T stop taking your medicines or change your dose because you feel better unless your health care provider tells you to.
• DON’T reduce your activity level. Rest doesn’t help Bell’s palsy.
• DON’T stop corticosteroids abruptly; they must be tapered.