What it means
A sudden weakness of one side of the face from swelling or injury of the facial nerveFAY-shul NERVThe seventh cranial nerve, which moves the muscles of the face and carries taste from the front of the tongue.Full entry (cranial nerve VII), often linked to a viral infection. The forehead, eyelid and mouth on that side may droop, and the person may not be able to close the eye, smile evenly or keep food in the mouth on that side. Most people recover within weeks to months; corticosteroids help when started early. It is named after Sir Charles Bell, a Scottish surgeon. A stroke must be ruled out first.
For the nurse
Protect the eye on the weak side: artificial tears in the day, ointment and an eye shield or taping at night. Teach the client to chew on the strong side and check the mouth for trapped food. Any sudden facial droop is treated as a possible stroke until checked.
At a glance
| Also written | Bell's palsy, Bell’s palsy, bells palsy |
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Related terms
corticosteroid
A drug that acts like the hormones of the adrenal glands, used mainly to calm inflammation and the immune system.
stroke
Sudden damage to part of the brain because its blood supply is blocked or a blood vessel in it bursts.
facial nerve
The seventh cranial nerve, which moves the muscles of the face and carries taste from the front of the tongue.