Intro

All episodes of facial weakness or paralysis should be immediately examined by a doctor to rule out the possibility of a stroke . If you have had a previous episode of Bell palsy and have another similar episode, you should again be examined to rule out other more serious causes of the facial weakness. Other causes of facial weakness can include these conditions:

• Stroke
• Tumors
• Other infections, such as meningitis
• Trauma
• Other neurological disease, such as multiple sclerosis

If you have any difficulty with speech (slurred speech or change in speed of your conversation), arm or leg weakness, numbness, tingling, or difficulty with balance or walking, call 911 or go to a hospital's emergency department.

Self-Care at Home

After examination by a doctor and with proper diagnosis, you can begin facial exercises and stimulation of the facial muscles. These activities might speed your recovery.

Relieve minor pain with over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen (Motrin).

Keep your droopy eyelid taped shut at night. Keep your eye moist with proper eyedrops (such as methylcellulose type) to prevent drying of the surface of your eye.

methylcellulose type) to prevent drying of the surface of your eye.
Prevention:
The cause is often unknown, so prevention is not possible.