Bell’s Palsy (Partial Facial Paralysis)
Bell’s palsy is a form of facial paralysis that causes one side of the face to droop. This can appear as a smaller or larger part of the face. However, this depends on how much damage has been done to the nerve cells.
It’s not contagious, but a viral infection or Lyme disease can cause it. If a person has Bell’s palsy, it will usually go away in time, but in some cases, it lasts longer and requires treatment with steroids or antiviral drugs.
Signs of Bell’s palsy may include drooping of one side of the face, including the corner of the mouth and eyelid. Also, patients may have difficulty moving the facial muscles on one side of the face, including moving the eye or smiling.
