What do Bell's palsy symptoms look like?

Rapid weakening of one entire side of the face, drooping of the eyebrow or corner of the mouth, difficulty closing the eye, drooling, changes in taste, and pain behind the ear may occur.

Can I start with herbal medicine for facial palsy?

For new facial palsy, differentiating it from a stroke and initiating early medication and eye protection come first. Herbal medicine treatment does not replace or delay these steps.

Baekrokdam Medical Guide

What should I prepare before a consultation for the acute and recovery phases of facial nerve palsy?

Name: What should be prepared before consultation for the acute and recovery phases of facial paralysis?
Published: 2026-08-26

If you have experienced a sudden loss of facial muscle strength, the priority is not to miss the timing for acute phase treatment. For subsequent appointments, prepare the start date, medications received, the extent to which eye closure, eating, and pronunciation have recovered, and whether other areas move together when smiling or closing your eyes, along with videos.

Click on unfamiliar terms to see their meanings immediately.

Reviewed by Korean Medicine Doctor Yeon-seung Choi · Last updated 2026-08-26

Bring a summary of dates, tests, and medications

Information to review during consultations for facial paralysis, facial spasms, and eyelid twitching

Forehead movement alone does not rule out a stroke.

Please also tell us which parts of your daily routine you most wish to recover

Onset time and dates of emergency, neurology, or otolaryngology evaluations and initial treatment; weekly photos or videos of eye closure, eating, pronunciation, and smiling; pain behind the ear, facial tightness, spasms, sleep, and fatigue; short videos showing the starting area and the sequence of spreading to the eyes, cheeks, and mouth; dates of neurology tests and treatments, and the point when effects changed

Changes where medical evaluation takes priority over preparation

The following are checked first to rule out stroke, corneal damage, and other neurological emergencies: sudden facial drooping accompanied by weakness or numbness in one arm or leg; slurred speech or difficulty understanding, and changes in vision, walking, balance, or consciousness; sudden severe headache without a known cause, accompanied by repeated vomiting or convulsions; inability to close the eye accompanied by severe pain, redness,light hypersensitivityor decreased vision

Check once more before your appointment

Preparing this much before your appointment is sufficient

Rather than looking at a single symptom in isolation, it is helpful for determining the direction of treatment to observe when it started, what changed alongside it, and how much it has disrupted your daily life.

Facial Paralysis: Information to review during consultation

For new facial asymmetry, it is essential to first distinguish between stroke and ear or nerve-related causes and receive medical evaluation early. During the subsequent recovery phase, we track the recovery speed of eye closure, eating, pronunciation, and facial expressions, along with pain, fatigue, and sleep.

Onset time and dates of emergency, neurology, or otolaryngology evaluations and initial treatment

Facial Spasms: Information to review during consultation

Facial SpasmThis is different from simple fatigue-induced eyelid twitching and requires an evaluation of causes such as nerve compression. While maintaining diagnosis and treatment options, we monitor the timing when spasms increase based on fatigue, tension, and sleep, along with facial function.

Short videos showing the starting area and the sequence of spreading to the eyes, cheeks, and mouth

Eyelid Twitching: Information to review during consultation

Eyelid twitchingis commonly linked to fatigue, caffeine, and eye irritation, but if it persists or is accompanied by contraction of one side of the face, eyelid closure, or vision changes, other causes must be identified. In Korean herbal medicine treatment, we look not only at the twitching but also at sleep, eye fatigue, tension, and recovery capacity.

Short videos showing upper/lower eyelids, one side or both sides, and the duration of twitching during the day

Information that is helpful to write down before your visit

Onset time and dates of emergency, neurological, and otolaryngology evaluations and initial treatment
Record closing eyes, eating, pronunciation, and smiling through weekly photos and videos
Pain behind the ear, facial tightness, spasms, sleep, and fatigue
A short video showing the starting point and the sequence of spread to the eyes, cheeks, and mouth
Dates of neurology examinations and treatments, and the point when the effect changed
Discomfort during driving, conversation, or sleep, and factors such as caffeine, fatigue, and body heat

Dizziness, Ear, Head, and Face Glossary

Terms to know in this text

You can check simple definitions before proceeding to detailed explanations.

Facial paralysisFacial nerve palsy is a condition where the nerve function that moves the face declines, weakening the movement of one side of the forehead, eye, and mouth.Facial SynkinesisFacial synkinesis is a condition where unintended facial movements occur simultaneously with intended movements, such as the eye closing when moving the mouth, during the recovery process from facial nerve palsy.Hemifacial spasmHemifacial spasm is a condition where twitching starts around one eye and repeatedly pulls the cheek and mouth area.Eyelid twitchingEyelid twitching is a symptom where the muscles around the eye flutter slightly; it can worsen with fatigue, lack of sleep, and caffeine.Light sensitivityPhotosensitivity is a symptom where light feels excessively bright or uncomfortable, leading one to seek dark places. It often occurs alongside migraines and vestibular migraines.

Details confirmed in Korean medicine treatment

We review test results and your current discomfort together

Categorizing symptoms

Sudden facial drooping first requires screening for acute causes

If accompanied by arm weakness, slurred speech, or changes in gait, emergency evaluation takes priority over a Korean herbal medicine consultation.

Categorizing symptoms

Distinguish between eyelid twitching and one-sided facial contraction

Record whether the pulling sensation extends from around the eyes to the mouth and cheeks on the same side, and whether it can be stopped voluntarily.

Categorizing symptoms

Specify which eye and which area is affected

Record whether it is the upper or lower eyelid, one side or both sides, the duration, and whether it is severe enough to close the eye.

A stroke cannot be ruled out based on a single facial finding. If there is sudden facial drooping along with changes in arm movement, speech, vision, or balance, seek emergency evaluation immediately.

How to discuss my symptoms during the medical evaluation

Discomfort that persists after tests and treatment

What should I prepare before consultations for the acute and recovery phases of facial paralysis?

We establish a recovery sequence by dividing the roles of existing treatments and herbal medicine treatment. If there is a cause that requires priority treatment, that treatment is continued. For herbal medicine treatment, we examine the remaining symptoms, the impact on daily life, and the patterns of sleep, digestion, body heat, and fatigue to set central goals and progress criteria. The sequence of combining it with existing treatments is adjusted based on actual responses, and lifestyle management is tailored to support the treatment goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions Before Your Visit

What are the symptoms of Bell's palsy?

Rapid weakness of one side of the entire face, drooping of the eyebrow and corner of the mouth, difficulty closing the eye, drooling, changes in taste, and pain behind the ear may occur.

Can I distinguish between facial nerve palsy and a stroke at home?

It is not possible to distinguish them completely. If facial drooping occurs suddenly along with arm weakness, slurred speech, or changes in vision and balance, call 119 immediately.

Why is it urgent if the eye does not close?

The cornea can dry out and become scratched, which may damage vision. Start eye protection immediately; if you experience pain, redness, or changes in vision, seek an ophthalmology evaluation on the same day.

Can I start with herbal medicine for facial nerve palsy?

New Facial palsydifferential diagnosis for stroke and early medication and eye protection come first. Korean herbal medicine treatment does not replace or delay these.

Guidance closest to my symptoms

Condition GuidanceFacial paralysisFacial paralysis may appear as a sudden weakness in the movement of one side of the face, causing the eyebrows, eyelids, or corners of the mouth to droop, difficulty smiling or frowning, and an inability to close one eye completely. This may be accompanied by drooling, difficulty speaking, eating or drinking, decreased sense of taste, dry eyes or tearing, pain behind the ear or jaw, and sensitivity to sound. However, if new facial drooping occurs along with weakness or numbness in one arm or leg, slurred speech or difficulty understanding, changes in vision or balance, or a sudden severe headache, it should be regarded as a stroke and 119 must be called immediately. Even if only the face appears weak, do not assume on your own that it is Bell's palsy; seek an evaluation on the same day, and if the eye does not close, begin corneal protection immediately.Condition GuidanceFacial spasmsCommon eyelid myokymia usually appears as a subtle, wave-like twitching of the skin on one side, particularly the lower eyelid. It must be distinguished from simple eyelid twitching if both eyes close strongly against one's will or if spasms around one eye spread to the cheek or mouth on the same side. If the twitching persists, spreads, or worsens, seek an examination from an ophthalmologist or neurologist; if facial drooping, slurred speech, or limb weakness occur suddenly, seek emergency evaluation immediately.Condition GuidanceEyelid twitchingCommon eye twitching is an eyelid fasciculation where the upper or lower eyelid of one side moves thinly and rapidly; this may fluctuate for several days following fatigue, lack of sleep, stress, or caffeine. Blepharospasm, where eyelids close tightly or it is difficult to open both eyes, and hemifacial spasm, which spreads from around one eye to the mouth, have different patterns. You should seek medical attention if the twitching persists for several weeks, spreads to the face or body, or is accompanied by eyelid drooping, weakness, stiffness, redness, swelling, or discharge.Head, Ear, and Face ColumnWhy the goals of treatment differ between the acute phase and the sequelae phase of facial nerve palsyFacial nerve palsy consists of different stages: the first few days focus on cause evaluation, medication, and eye protection, while the following weeks to months focus on recovering movement and treating stiffness or synkinesis.Head, Ear, and Face ColumnWhat is the difference between eyelid twitching, facial spasms, and facial paralysis?Fine trembling of the eyelid, pulling from one eye to the corner of the mouth, and loss of strength on one side of the face are different issues. Rather than just saying it 'twitches,' we first look at whether involuntary movement is occurring or whether strength is disappearing.

Evidence and Update Information

The following materials were referenced for definitions, criteria for distinguishing similar symptoms, and safety standards. These are applied alongside medical interviews and pattern identification to determine the direction of Korean herbal medicine and acupuncture treatment, and the sequence for connecting them with existing treatments.

NINDS: Bell’s PalsyInformation on symptoms, evaluation, and recovery of peripheral facial nerve palsy
CDC: Signs and Symptoms of StrokeEmergency pathways for sudden weakness in the face or arms and changes in speech or walking
AAO-HNSF: Clinical Practice Guideline: Bell’s PalsyInitial evaluation, eye protection, treatment, and re-evaluation criteria for facial nerve palsy