Private bell's palsy clinic in London, same-day specialist medicine.

What you may notice

• drooping of one side of the face, often coming on over hours and worst by 48 hours
• inability to close the eye on that side, or to blink
• drooling, food collecting in the cheek, difficulty drinking from a cup
• pain behind or below the ear, often a day or two before the weakness
• altered taste, and sounds seeming uncomfortably loud on that side
• a dry or watering eye

Protecting the eye — the part that causes lasting damage

If the eye will not close, the surface dries out and can ulcerate, which can permanently affect sight. This is the most important thing you do at home.

1. Lubricating drops during the day, as often as hourly at first.
2. Thicker ointment at night, when the eye is most at risk.
3. Tape the eyelid closed at night, gently, with micropore tape — ask us to show you.
4. Wear glasses or sunglasses outdoors to protect from wind and dust.
5. Seek help the same day if the eye becomes red, painful or your vision changes.

Recovery

Recovery is usually gradual. A minority are left with some residual weakness, tightness, or involuntary movements — the eye closing when the mouth moves, for example. Facial physiotherapy helps, and forceful exercises early on are best avoided; gentle, controlled movement is more useful than effortful grimacing.

When to be reviewed

• no improvement at all after three weeks
• the eye becoming red, painful or vision changing — the same day
• weakness that is worsening after 72 hours, or that recurs
• any new neurological symptom