Is facial neuritis prone to recurrence?

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on January 26, 2025
00:00
00:00

For idiopathic facial neuritis, this is a nonspecific inflammatory reaction caused by an immune function disorder of the body. The probability of recurrence of this disease is not particularly high. Patients should pay attention to exercising and enhancing their physical fitness. During the onset of the disease, treatment with corticosteroids, B vitamins, etc., should be given, and the prognosis is generally good with a very low recurrence rate. However, it should be noted that sometimes facial paralysis may be caused by other diseases, such as some tumors, especially malignant lymphomas, whose initial symptoms might affect the facial nerve, causing repeated paralysis. Clinically, when seeing patients with repetitive facial neuritis, it is crucial to consider the possibility of such diseases to avoid missed diagnoses. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
54sec home-news-image

What should be paid attention to for facial neuritis?

Patients with facial neuritis usually have an acute onset, with facial nerve paralysis peaking within hours or days. It mainly manifests as paralysis of the facial expression muscles, disappearance of forehead lines, inability to frown, and incomplete closure of the eyelids. Therefore, patients with facial neuritis should pay attention to eye protection since the eyelids cannot close fully. Long-term exposure and drying of the cornea make it susceptible to infection. Therefore, it is necessary to wear an eye patch for protection or use some medicinal solutions to prevent infection and protect the cornea. Additionally, since there is a viral infection, patients should also avoid being chilled. In terms of diet, it is advisable to eat light food and avoid greasy, overly rich, or excessively spicy foods.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yuan Jun Li
Neurology
59sec home-news-image

How to determine if facial neuritis is cured?

Patients with facial neuritis, if the paralysis of the facial expression muscles returns to normal, are generally considered cured. After the onset of the disease, patients must receive early and timely treatment. Corticosteroids such as dexamethasone, prednisone, and methylprednisolone can be used, along with B vitamins to nourish the nerves. Commonly used are vitamin B1, vitamin B12, adenosylcobalamin, and methylcobalamin, among others. One week after the onset, acupuncture treatment can be considered, as well as massage, physical therapy, and heat therapy. Most patients begin to recover two weeks after treatment, and basically return to normal within two months, with a minority possibly experiencing certain sequelae, such as facial muscle spasms or remaining facial muscle paralysis. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a physician.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
48sec home-news-image

Is facial neuritis the same as facial paralysis?

Facial neuritis can lead to facial paralysis, but facial paralysis can be divided into central facial paralysis and peripheral facial paralysis. Generally, facial paralysis caused by facial neuritis is peripheral facial paralysis. This means that there might be incomplete closure of the eyelids and deviation of the mouth corners. If central facial paralysis is considered, it generally does not lead to incomplete closure of the eyelids. Central facial paralysis is mainly caused by cerebrovascular diseases or other diseases of the brain or brainstem, whereas facial neuritis is due to damage to the facial nerve.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
1min 11sec home-news-image

Symptoms of facial neuritis

Facial neuritis, known as idiopathic facial paralysis, is a common disease in neurology. The main clinical manifestations and symptoms include acute onset, peaking within several hours to days. The primary manifestation is paralysis of the expression muscles on the affected side of the face, such as diminished forehead wrinkles, inability to open the eye, furrow the brow, or weak eyelid closure. Some patients may experience pain behind the ear, and in the tympanic membrane and external ear canal. Additionally, some patients exhibit deviation of the mouth corner, air leakage when puffing or whistling, and difficulty retaining food residues while eating or leaking water while drinking. Other patients may experience loss of taste in the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, along with secretion disorders of the salivary and lacrimal glands. Overall, the diagnosis of facial neuritis is relatively straightforward, and its clinical presentation is not particularly complex. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, timely treatment is essential, and most patients can recover.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Min
Neurology
53sec home-news-image

What should be paid attention to with facial neuritis?

Bell's palsy is caused by a decrease in the body's resistance, resulting in damage to the facial nerve. This damage presents clinically as symptoms of viral infection. Therefore, precautions should be based on its cause and clinical symptoms. In terms of causes, patients should enhance their resistance, engage in more physical exercise, consume foods that eliminate free radicals, and enhance their diet with high-quality protein. When going out, avoid cold exposure, wind, and re-infection. In terms of treatment, patients should adhere to medical advice and take oral medications on time. Additionally, after treatment, rehabilitation should be emphasized to prevent residual symptoms. Thus, the symptoms of Bell's palsy involve a range of conditions.