Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Facial paralysis

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Paralysis of the face


Home Care

Treatment depends on the cause. Follow your health care provider's treatment recommendations.

If the eye cannot fully close, the cornea must be protected from drying out with prescription eye drops or gel.


Call your health care provider if

Call your doctor if you have weakness or numbness in your face. Seek emergency medical help if you experience these symptoms along with a severe headache, seizure, or blindness.


What to expect at your health care provider's office

The doctor will perform a physical exam and ask you questions about your medical history and symptoms, including:

  • Are both sides of your face affected?
  • Have you recently been sick or injured?
  • What other symptoms do you have? For example, drooling, excessive tears from one eye, headaches, seizures, vision problems, weakness, or paralysis.

Tests that may be done include:

  • Blood tests, including blood sugar, CBC, ESR, Lyme test
  • CT scan of the head
  • Electromyography
  • MRI of the head

The doctor may refer you to a physical, speech, or occupational therapist. If facial paralysis from Bell's palsy lasts for more than 6 - 12 months, plastic surgery may be recommended to improve eye closing and the appearance of the face.


Review Date: 02/18/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)