Bell's palsy facts for kids
Bell's palsy is a condition that makes one side of your face weak or paralyzed. It happens when a nerve in your face gets swollen. This means you can't move the muscles on that side of your face.
Bell's palsy is different from other causes of facial weakness. It's named after a Scottish scientist, Charles Bell, who first described it. It's the most common reason why a facial nerve suddenly stops working.
What is Bell's Palsy?
Bell's palsy usually starts very quickly, sometimes even overnight. One side of your face might become partly or completely weak.
Scientists think the facial nerve swells up. This nerve goes through a tiny tunnel in your skull, near your ear. When it swells, it gets squeezed in this tunnel, which stops it from working properly.
Sometimes, when your body's defenses (immunity) are a bit low, a sleeping virus (like the one that causes chickenpox or cold sores) can wake up. This virus can attack the nerve and make it swell.
Signs and Symptoms
The main signs of Bell's palsy are:
- One side of your face becomes weak or paralyzed.
- You might have pain in your jaw.
- You could feel dizzy.
- Hearing might become stronger in one ear.
- Your sense of taste might be weaker.
How is it Treated?
Bell's palsy often gets better on its own, sometimes in just a few weeks. Doctors might give you medicines called corticosteroids to help reduce the swelling. These medicines work best if you take them early.
Most people get better on their own and regain almost full movement in their face. Some people might take longer to recover, or they might not get back full movement. Many people start to show signs of getting better within 10 days, even without any treatment.
If you have Bell's palsy, you might not be able to close your eye on the affected side. It's very important to protect this eye from drying out. If it gets too dry, it could be permanently damaged. You might need to tape your eye shut when you sleep to keep it safe.
Images for kids
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Scottish neurophysiologist Sir Charles Bell was the first author to describe the anatomical basis for facial paralysis, and has since served as the eponym for Bell's palsy.
See also
In Spanish: Parálisis facial periférica para niños
