Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesRisk FactorsTreatmentNatural Remedies
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Risk Factors
Treatment
Natural Remedies
Bell’s palsyis related to nerve damage and can be treated with medication. Most cases will go away on their own, but treatment may helptemporary paralysisof the facial muscles resolve faster. About 80% of people with Bell’s palsy have complete resolution with favorable outcomes.Only preliminary research has been done on natural remedies for the condition.
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Bell’s palsy symptoms typically appear suddenly and reach their peak about 48 hours after they start. In most cases, only one side of the face becomes paralyzed.The condition may vary in severity, from mild muscle weakness to complete paralysis.
Facial distortion is common among people with Bell’s palsy. Symptoms may also include:
Bell’s palsy is generally the name given when there is no clear cause for a facial nerve palsy. However, scientists suspect that a viral infection—such as herpes simplex (the virus that causescold soresor herpes zoster—may trigger swelling and inflammation in the facial nerves, which in turn may cause Bell’s palsy to set in.
Facial nerve palsy is also the most common cranial neuropathy associated with Lyme disease (and sometimes the only symptom), with studies suggesting anywhere from 10% to 50% of Lyme patients experiencing this.
The following people may be at an increased risk for Bell’s palsy:
This condition is most common between the ages of 15 and 60, but it can happen at any age.
In treating Bell’s palsy, healthcare providers focus on the source of the nerve damage. This may include the use of anti-viral medications, as well as the use of anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the swelling believed to be associated with Bell’s palsy.
A 2013 Clinical Practice Guideline recommends:
Very few scientific studies have explored the use of alternative medicine in the treatment of Bell’s palsy. However, preliminary research suggests that the following therapies may benefit Bell’s palsy patients:
A Word From Verywell
Due to the limited research, it’s too soon to recommend natural remedies for Bell’s palsy. It’s also important to note that self-treating a condition and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences. If you’re considering using natural remedies for Bell’s palsy (or any other condition), make sure to consult your healthcare provider first.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yoo MC, Soh Y, Chon J, et al.Evaluation of factors associated with favorable outcomes in adults with Bell palsy.JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020;146(3):256-263. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2019.4312Reich SG.Bell’s palsy.Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2017;23(2, Selected Topics in Outpatient Neurology):447–466. doi:10.1212/CON.0000000000000447Baugh RF, Basura GJ, Ishii LE, et al.Clinical practice guideline: Bell’s palsy.Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2013;149(3 Suppl):S1–S27. doi:10.1177/0194599813505967National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Bell’s palsy fact sheet.Healio Ocular Surgery News.Higher incidence of Bell’s palsy attributed to increase in herpes zoster infection.New-onset Bell palsy and Lyme disease.Can Fam Physician.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Bell’s palsy.Azuma T, Nakamura K, Takahashi M, et al.Electroneurography in the acute stage of facial palsy as a predictive factor for the development of facial synkinesis sequela.Auris Nasus Larynx. 2018;45(4):728–731. doi:10.1016/j.anl.2017.09.016Li P, Qiu T, Qin C.Efficacy of Acupuncture for Bell’s Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.PLoS One. 2015;10(5):e0121880. Published 2015 May 14. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0121880
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yoo MC, Soh Y, Chon J, et al.Evaluation of factors associated with favorable outcomes in adults with Bell palsy.JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020;146(3):256-263. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2019.4312Reich SG.Bell’s palsy.Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2017;23(2, Selected Topics in Outpatient Neurology):447–466. doi:10.1212/CON.0000000000000447Baugh RF, Basura GJ, Ishii LE, et al.Clinical practice guideline: Bell’s palsy.Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2013;149(3 Suppl):S1–S27. doi:10.1177/0194599813505967National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Bell’s palsy fact sheet.Healio Ocular Surgery News.Higher incidence of Bell’s palsy attributed to increase in herpes zoster infection.New-onset Bell palsy and Lyme disease.Can Fam Physician.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Bell’s palsy.Azuma T, Nakamura K, Takahashi M, et al.Electroneurography in the acute stage of facial palsy as a predictive factor for the development of facial synkinesis sequela.Auris Nasus Larynx. 2018;45(4):728–731. doi:10.1016/j.anl.2017.09.016Li P, Qiu T, Qin C.Efficacy of Acupuncture for Bell’s Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.PLoS One. 2015;10(5):e0121880. Published 2015 May 14. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0121880
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Yoo MC, Soh Y, Chon J, et al.Evaluation of factors associated with favorable outcomes in adults with Bell palsy.JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020;146(3):256-263. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2019.4312Reich SG.Bell’s palsy.Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2017;23(2, Selected Topics in Outpatient Neurology):447–466. doi:10.1212/CON.0000000000000447Baugh RF, Basura GJ, Ishii LE, et al.Clinical practice guideline: Bell’s palsy.Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2013;149(3 Suppl):S1–S27. doi:10.1177/0194599813505967National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Bell’s palsy fact sheet.Healio Ocular Surgery News.Higher incidence of Bell’s palsy attributed to increase in herpes zoster infection.New-onset Bell palsy and Lyme disease.Can Fam Physician.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Bell’s palsy.Azuma T, Nakamura K, Takahashi M, et al.Electroneurography in the acute stage of facial palsy as a predictive factor for the development of facial synkinesis sequela.Auris Nasus Larynx. 2018;45(4):728–731. doi:10.1016/j.anl.2017.09.016Li P, Qiu T, Qin C.Efficacy of Acupuncture for Bell’s Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.PLoS One. 2015;10(5):e0121880. Published 2015 May 14. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0121880
Yoo MC, Soh Y, Chon J, et al.Evaluation of factors associated with favorable outcomes in adults with Bell palsy.JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020;146(3):256-263. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2019.4312
Reich SG.Bell’s palsy.Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2017;23(2, Selected Topics in Outpatient Neurology):447–466. doi:10.1212/CON.0000000000000447
Baugh RF, Basura GJ, Ishii LE, et al.Clinical practice guideline: Bell’s palsy.Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2013;149(3 Suppl):S1–S27. doi:10.1177/0194599813505967
National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Bell’s palsy fact sheet.
Healio Ocular Surgery News.Higher incidence of Bell’s palsy attributed to increase in herpes zoster infection.
New-onset Bell palsy and Lyme disease.Can Fam Physician.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Bell’s palsy.
Azuma T, Nakamura K, Takahashi M, et al.Electroneurography in the acute stage of facial palsy as a predictive factor for the development of facial synkinesis sequela.Auris Nasus Larynx. 2018;45(4):728–731. doi:10.1016/j.anl.2017.09.016
Li P, Qiu T, Qin C.Efficacy of Acupuncture for Bell’s Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.PLoS One. 2015;10(5):e0121880. Published 2015 May 14. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0121880
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