Bell's Palsy Symptoms

Quick Glance: Common Bell's Palsy Symptoms

Some of the most common Bell's palsy symptoms include:

• Weakness or reduced movement on one side of the face

• Drooping of the corner of the mouth

• Drooping of one eyelid

• Difficulty closing one eye completely

• Reduced or altered sense of taste

• Dry or excessively watery eye

• Pain or discomfort around the ear or affected side of the face

• Increased sensitivity to sounds

Bell's Palsy Symptoms That Should Not Be Ignored

The following Bell's palsy symptoms should not be ignored:

However, sudden facial weakness should not automatically be attributed to Bell's palsy, as stroke and other conditions can cause similar symptoms. Prompt medical assessment is important to determine the underlying cause.

Why Do Bell's Palsy Symptoms Occur?

Bell's palsy occurs when the seventh cranial nerve, known as the facial nerve, is affected. This nerve is involved in facial movement, closing the eyes, taste, tear and saliva production, and regulating sensitivity to sound. When the nerve becomes inflamed or swollen, its ability to send signals to the facial muscles can be disrupted, resulting in weakness or paralysis on one side of the face.

The exact cause of Bell's palsy is not always known. Viral reactivation has been suggested as one possible factor, but this does not mean that a specific viral infection is responsible in every case. Because the facial nerve travels through a narrow bony passage in the skull, swelling can interfere with its normal function and produce several symptoms at the same time.

Bell's Palsy Symptoms That Require Immediate Medical Attention

Facial weakness accompanied by these symptoms may indicate a more serious neurological problem and requires prompt medical assessment:

• Weakness or numbness in an arm or leg

• Difficulty speaking or understanding speech

• Sudden severe headache

• Sudden difficulty walking

• Loss of balance or coordination

• Sudden vision problems

• Loss of consciousness

• New or worsening neurological symptoms

These symptoms require emergency medical attention, even if they improve after a short time.

Symptoms of Bell's Palsy in Children

Bell's palsy can occur in children, although new facial weakness in a child should be medically assessed to determine the cause. Children may develop symptoms similar to adults, including one-sided facial weakness, drooping of the mouth or eyelid and difficulty closing the affected eye.

Other Bell's palsy symptoms in children can include:

• Changes in taste

• Facial discomfort

• A dry or watery eye

• Increased sensitivity to sounds

• Difficulty eating or drinking

Because facial weakness can have causes other than Bell's palsy, children with these symptoms should receive an appropriate medical assessment.

Can You Have Bell's Palsy Without Symptoms?

Bell's palsy causes dysfunction of the facial nerve, so some degree of facial weakness or reduced facial movement would generally be expected. However, the severity can vary, and mild weakness may be difficult to notice.

Not everyone with Bell's palsy develops additional symptoms such as altered taste, facial pain or increased sensitivity to sound. Therefore, the absence of these associated symptoms does not rule out Bell's palsy, but a clinician should assess new facial weakness.

When Can Bell's Palsy Symptoms Become Serious?

Bell's palsy is usually temporary, but the following complications need prompt attention:

Eye protection is particularly important when Bell's palsy prevents complete eyelid closure because the exposed eye can become dry and vulnerable to damage. A healthcare professional should also review persistent or unusual symptoms.

How are Bell's Palsy Symptoms Diagnosed?

Bell's palsy is usually diagnosed from the person's symptoms, medical history and physical examination. There is no single laboratory test that confirms Bell's palsy, so doctors also assess whether another condition could be causing the facial weakness.

The table below explains the main assessments that may be used when evaluating Bell's palsy symptoms:

Routine imaging or laboratory tests are not usually necessary when the symptoms and examination clearly fit Bell's palsy. Additional investigations may be considered when symptoms are unusual, progressive, recurrent or accompanied by other neurological findings.