Types
Facial paralysis may be due to Bell’s palsy, Ramsay Hunt syndrome or Lyme disease.
Bell’s palsy is the most common form of facial paralysis. There is no known cause and it affects one side of the face.
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is usually caused by a virus that has infected the facial nerve. It is considered to be a more severe form of facial paralysis. There may be blisters on the ears and on the roof of the mouth.
Lyme disease is a form of bacterial infection from an infected tick. There may be a target-shaped rash before symptoms occur such as headaches, fever or body weakness.
Symptoms
Bell’s palsy can have the following symptoms:
- Facial paralysis on one side
- Loss of blinking control on the affected side
- Decreased tearing
- Drooping of the mouth to the affected side
- Altered sense of taste
- Slurred speech
- Drooling
- Pain in or behind the ear
- Sound hypersensitivity on the affected side
- Difficulty eating or drinking
Stroke can have the following symptoms:
- Changes in level of consciousness
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Loss of coordination
- Seizure
- Changes in vision
- Weakness in arms or legs on one side of your body