Question 1

I woke up this morning with a crooked mouth (facial paralysis/Bell's Palsy).

Accepted Answer

Overwork and stress have weakened your immune system, allowing a virus to invade the facial nerve (Bell's palsy). While not an emergency, treatment within the first 3 days (the golden time) determines the prognosis. Please come in immediately.

Question 2

When is the best time to treat facial paralysis?

Accepted Answer

The period from immediate onset to two weeks is the most critical. During the acute phase (the first week), when nerve damage progresses, inflammation must be controlled, and then nerve regeneration must be promoted during the subsequent recovery phase to prevent sequelae.

Question 3

Is it normal to feel a sharp, tingling pain behind the ear before facial paralysis develops?

Accepted Answer

The facial nerve passes behind the ear (mastoid process) and emerges onto the face. Swelling and pain in this area is a premonitory symptom of nerve inflammation (postauricular pain). This often appears several days before the onset of paralysis.

Question 4

Is it safe to take medication for Bell's palsy during pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Pregnant women are susceptible to facial paralysis due to weakened immunity. While you may be concerned about the restricted use of steroids, sufficient improvement can be achieved with traditional Korean herbal medicine and acupuncture alone, both of which are safe for the fetus.

Question 5

Long-standing synkinesis: My eyes and mouth move together.

Accepted Answer

This is a complication (synkinesis) that occurs when regenerating facial nerves become misrouted and entangled with each other. For example, your mouth might move when you blink, or you might tear up while eating (crocodile tears). The entangled muscles should be released using treatments such as thread embedding therapy.

Question 6

My eye won't close, and it's very irritated.

Accepted Answer

If your eye doesn't close completely due to eyelid muscle paralysis (lagophthalmos), your cornea can dry out and become damaged. You should instill artificial tears frequently. At bedtime, your eye should be covered with an eye patch or taped shut.

Question 7

Is there any truth to the belief that sleeping in a cold place can cause facial paralysis (Bell's Palsy)?

Accepted Answer

Yes, cold temperatures can constrict blood vessels and impair blood circulation around nerves, potentially leading to facial palsy. Especially, sleeping in a cold environment after drinking alcohol (which compromises your immune system) creates an ideal condition for 'Pung-han' (wind and cold) to invade.

Question 8

Can Bell's Palsy recur?

Accepted Answer

While the recurrence rate is less than 10%, it can recur at any time if immunity is compromised. Diabetic patients and older adults, in particular, have a high risk of recurrence. While it often occurs on the opposite side, it can also recur on the same side.

Question 9

Can I do a face massage at home?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is beneficial to loosen tight muscles. However, do not rub too hard; instead, apply cream and massage gently. Low-frequency electrical stimulators can actually cause facial muscles to contract, so they should not be used without professional consultation.

Question 10

How long does it take for full recovery?

Accepted Answer

The recovery time varies depending on the degree of nerve damage (as indicated by nerve conduction study results). For mild cases, over 90% recovery is typically achieved within 3-4 weeks. However, moderate to severe cases may take 2-3 months, and complete paralysis can take over 6 months.

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