Ear
Facial Paralysis
Facial paralysis is a partial or complete loss of movement in the facial muscles. It can affect blinking, smiling, speaking and keeping food or liquids inside the mouth. Usually one side is affected, although both sides can be involved.
What Can Cause Facial Paralysis?
Bell’s palsy is a common cause of sudden facial weakness. It involves dysfunction of the facial nerve and is diagnosed after other causes have been considered.
Other causes include injury, certain infections, conditions affecting the ear or nearby structures, and neurological disease. Facial paralysis describes a problem with movement; it is not a single diagnosis, and not every case is Bell’s palsy.
What Symptoms Can Occur?
Depending on the cause, symptoms may include:
- An uneven smile or drooping corner of the mouth.
- Difficulty closing one eye or blinking normally.
- Leakage of saliva or difficulty drinking.
- Changes in taste.
- A dry or watering eye.
- Discomfort around the ear or jaw.
The timing of symptoms and any associated hearing, balance or neurological changes help guide assessment.
How Is It Assessed?
The clinician asks when the weakness started, how it developed and whether there have been previous episodes. Examination assesses facial movement, eye closure and signs that suggest an underlying cause.
An ear examination and neurological assessment may be needed. Additional tests or specialist referrals depend on the findings. Treatment should follow the diagnosis rather than assuming that all facial weakness has the same cause.
Why Is Early Treatment Important?
When Bell’s palsy is diagnosed, corticosteroid treatment is most effective when started within 72 hours of symptom onset, if appropriate for the patient. Antiviral medicine may be added in selected cases.
This treatment window is a reason to seek help promptly, not to wait. Other causes require different treatment, and new facial weakness needs urgent assessment even if more than 72 hours have passed.
Protecting the Eye
If the eyelid does not close fully, the surface of the eye can dry out and become damaged. Eye protection is an essential part of care.
A clinician may recommend lubricating drops, ointment and a suitable method of keeping the eyelid closed during sleep. Ask for a demonstration rather than improvising eye taping.
Recovery and Longer-Term Care
Recovery depends on the cause and severity of the nerve problem. Many people with Bell’s palsy improve over weeks to months, but some have lasting weakness or unwanted linked facial movements.
Persistent symptoms may benefit from specialist rehabilitation and, in selected cases, procedures to improve eye protection, facial balance or movement. Follow-up helps identify the most appropriate options without promising complete recovery.
Discuss Your Ongoing Care
After urgent causes have been assessed, contact the clinic to discuss ongoing facial weakness, follow-up or referral needs.
This information provides general guidance and does not replace an individual medical assessment.
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