Bell’s Palsy

Publication Date: November 3, 2013
Last Updated: September 2, 2022

Diagnosis

When evaluating a patient with facial paresis/paralysis for Bell’s palsy, the following should be considered:

  • Bell’s palsy is rapid in onset (<72 hours).
  • Bell’s palsy is diagnosed when no other medical etiology is identified as a cause of the facial paresis/paralysis.
  • Bilateral Bell’s palsy is rare.
  • Currently, no cause for Bell’s palsy has been identified.
  • Other conditions may cause facial paresis/paralysis, including stroke, brain tumors, tumors of the parotid gland or infratemporal fossa, cancer involving the facial nerve, and systemic and infectious diseases, including varicella zoster, sarcoidosis, and Lyme disease.
  • Bell’s palsy is typically self-limited. Most patients with Bell’s palsy show some recovery without intervention within 2-3 weeks after onset of symptoms and completely recover within 3-4 months.
  • Bell’s palsy may occur in men, women, and children but is more common in persons 15-45 years old; individuals with diabetes, upper respiratory ailments, or compromised immune systems; and during pregnancy.

Treatment

Table 4. Summary of Guideline Action Statements
Diagnostics
Patient history and physical examination
Clinicians should assess the patient using history and physical examination to exclude identifiable causes of facial paresis/paralysis in patients presenting with acute-onset unilateral facial paresis/paralysis. ( C , S )
570
Laboratory testing
Clinicians should NOT obtain routine laboratory testing in patients with new-onset Bell’s palsy. ( C , R )
570
Diagnostic imaging
Clinicians should NOT routinely perform diagnostic imaging for patients with new-onset Bell’s palsy. ( C , R )
570
Electrodiagnostic Testing
With incomplete paresis/paralysis
Clinicians should NOT perform electrodiagnostic testing in Bell’s palsy patients with incomplete facial paresis/paralysis. ( C , S )
570
With complete paresis/paralysis
Clinicians may offer electrodiagnostic testing to Bell’s palsy patients with complete facial paresis/paralysis. ( C , O )
570
Treatment
Steroids
Oral steroid use
Clinicians should prescribe oral steroids within 72 h of symptom onset for Bell’s palsy patients 16 y and older. ( A , S )
570
Antiviral Therapy
Monotherapy
Clinicians should NOT prescribe oral antiviral therapy alone for patients with new-onset Bell’s palsy. ( A , S )
570
Combination
Clinicians may offer oral antiviral therapy in addition to oral steroids within 72 h of symptom onset for patients with Bell’s palsy. ( B , O )
570
Other
Eye care
Clinicians should implement eye protection for Bell’s palsy patients with impaired eye closure. ( X , S )
570
Surgical decompression
No recommendation can be made regarding surgical decompression for Bell’s palsy patients. ( D , N)
570
Acupuncture
No recommendation can be made regarding the effect of acupuncture in Bell’s palsy patients. ( B , N)
570
Physical therapy
No recommendation can be made regarding the effect of physical therapy in Bell’s palsy patients. ( C , N)
570
Patient Follow-up
Clinicians should reassess or refer to a facial nerve specialist those Bell’s palsy patients with (1) new or worsening neurologic findings at any point, (2) ocular symptoms developing at any point, or (3) incomplete facial recovery 3 mo after initial symptom onset. ( C , R )
570

Recommendation Grading

Overview

Title

Bell’s Palsy

Authoring Organization

American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation

Publication Month/Year

November 3, 2013

Last Updated Month/Year

December 19, 2024

Supplemental Implementation Tools

Document Type

Guideline

External Publication Status

Published

Country of Publication

US

Document Objectives

The primary purpose of this guideline is to improve the accuracy of diagnosis for Bell's palsy, to improve the quality of care and outcomes for patients with Bell's palsy, and to decrease harmful variations in the evaluation and management of Bell's palsy. This guideline addresses these needs by encouraging accurate and efficient diagnosis and treatment and, when applicable, facilitating patient follow-up to address the management of long-term sequelae or evaluation of new or worsening symptoms not indicative of Bell's palsy. 

Target Patient Population

Adults and children presenting with Bell’s palsy

Target Provider Population

All clinicians in any setting who are likely to diagnose and manage patients with Bell’s palsy

Inclusion Criteria

Male, Female, Adolescent, Adult, Child, Older adult

Health Care Settings

Ambulatory, Emergency care

Intended Users

Nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant

Scope

Diagnosis, Treatment, Management

Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)

D020330 - Bell Palsy

Keywords

Bell’s palsy, facial nerve disorder, idiopathic facial nerve paralysis

Source Citation

Baugh RF, Basura GJ, Ishii LE, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline: Bell’s Palsy. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. 2013;149(3_suppl):S1-S27. doi:10.1177/0194599813505967