Each year, approximately 40,000 people in the United States experience the side effects of Bell's palsy, a condition characterized by paralysis of the facial nerves, reports UpToDate, a peer-reviewed medical information website for patients. Bell's palsy side effects are typically temporary and most people fully recover once the damaged facial nerve heals. People who develop any of the side effects of Bell's palsy should seek additional care from a medical professional.
Facial Weakness or Paralysis
Severe inflammation and irritation of the facial nerve can cause patients with Bell's palsy to develop sensations of weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles. Typically, these side effects of Bell's palsy arise on only one side of the face, explains PDRHealth, a health information resource associated with the Physicians' Desktop Reference. These side effects may develop suddenly and can persist for a few weeks or several months. Patients who develop sudden facial weakness or paralysis should seek immediate medical care as these side effects can also be signs of a stroke.
Facial Drooping
Patients with Bell's palsy can experience facial drooping as a side effect of this temporary condition, explains KidsHealth, a children's health information site supported by the Nemours Foundation. Facial drooping may cause a patient's eye or mouth to sag. These patients can also have difficulty with normal facial expressions, such as smiling or blinking.
Tearing or Drooling
Facial nerve damage can affect the amount of fluid the eyes and mouth produce. As a result, patients with Bell's palsy can experience side effects of excessive tearing or drooling, reports the University of Virginia Health System. Certain patients may also experience dry eye side effects. This occurs because patients are unable to close the eye on side of the face affected by this nerve condition. Patients who develop these Bell's palsy side effects should seek additional care from a physician.
Altered Taste Sensation
This condition can cause affected patients to experience altered or impaired taste as a side effect, explains the University of Pittsburgh Medical College in Pennsylvania. Ingested food can taste unusually bland or unpalatable, which can lead to decreased appetite in certain patients.
Increased Sensitivity to Sound
Damage to the facial nerve can also affect the way in which patients hear. The ear on the affected side of the face can be unusually sensitive to sound, which can cause patients with Bell's palsy to develop frequent headaches, explains UVA Health System. Certain patients may also experience sensations of pain or numbness that extend from the facial tissue and muscles into the ear. Patients who develop unusual auditory problems should speak with a medical professional as soon as possible.
