Bell's palsy

Bell’s palsy is the most common cause of sudden facial paralysis. The facial nerve becomes inflamed and swollen — likely triggered by a viral infection in many cases — and one side of the face stops moving properly.

It tends to arrive fast: many people wake up with it, or notice it at a mirror or a meal within a few hours. That speed is scary, and it sends a lot of people to the emergency room fearing a stroke. Getting checked quickly is exactly the right instinct.

Alongside the visible weakness — a drooping mouth corner, an eye that won’t close — people often notice drooling, changed taste, and everyday sounds feeling harsh on the affected side. Some feel pain around the jaw or behind the ear a day or two before the weakness starts.

Two things matter most early on: seeing a doctor promptly, because steroid treatment works best when started within about 72 hours, and protecting the eye if it can’t fully close.

The odds are genuinely good: most people begin improving within a few weeks and recover fully within three to six months. Progress is usually gradual and uneven — quiet stretches where nothing seems to change are normal, not a bad sign.

Some people have lingering effects, like mild weakness or synkinesis — unintended movements, such as the eye narrowing when smiling — as the nerve regrows. A facial therapist can genuinely help with this stage, so ask for a referral rather than pushing through alone.

If your eye can’t fully close, it can’t protect itself — and it can be hurt long before the face finishes healing. This is the one part of Bell’s palsy that shouldn’t wait.

Ask your doctor about lubricating drops for the day, thicker ointment for the night, and taping the eye closed (or a moisture chamber) while you sleep. If the eye becomes red, painful, or blurry, see a doctor promptly.