How is Bell's palsy managed or treated?

How is Bell's palsy managed or treated?

Bell’s palsy improves without treatment. Still, your healthcare provider may recommend one or more of these therapies for symptom relief and a faster recovery:

• Oral corticosteroids, such as prednisone, decrease nerve swelling and may help you regain facial movement faster. This treatment is most effective when you start it within 48 hours of noticing symptoms.
• Antiviral medications, such as acyclovir for herpes, may speed recovery, although it's unclear how much benefit they provide. This treatment works best when combined with oral corticosteroids.
• Eye care is very important. Eyedrops, including artificial tears, soothe dry, irritated eyes. If your eyelid won’t close, you may need to wear an eye patch to protect the eye from irritants and injuries.
• Decompression surgery eases pressure on the nerve is rarely performed because it can cause hearing loss and permanent facial nerve damage.
• Functional facial plastic surgery procedures are options for people who don't recover to help correct facial asymmetry and assist with eyelid closure.