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Symptoms of Bell's palsy

The symptoms of Bell’s palsy often come on very quickly, over a few hours or overnight. The weakness or paralysis usually affects one side of your face although it occasionally affects both sides.

The symptoms will vary depending on whether the nerve is partially or fully affected.

Symptoms may include:

• facial pain around your ear on the affected side for a few days,
• your face may droop on one side and may feel numb,
• when you smile only one side of the face may move,
• your eye on the affected side may water or become dry and not close fully,
• you may not be able to chew food properly and you may dribble slightly,
• you may not be able to frown,
• you may lose your taste for food on one side of your tongue,
• you may find that noises sound louder than usual which can be uncomfortable, and speaking clearly may be difficult.

Approximately 80% of people start to improve within three weeks and make a full recovery in 2-3 months. More than 90% will recover completely within a year, however about 5%-10% of people have some slight weakness which remains forever. Very rarely there may be little or no improvement.

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