This NHS content is written for people in England. Services, entitlements and contact routes may differ in other countries.
Call 999 if:
- somebody's face droops on 1 side (the mouth or eye may have drooped)
- a person cannot lift up both arms and keep them there
- a person has difficulty speaking (speech may be slurred or garbled)
These can be signs of a stroke , which is a medical emergency.
Symptoms of Bell's palsy
Symptoms of Bell's palsy include:
- weakness on 1 side of your face, or not being able to move 1 side of your face – this usually happens over a few days
- a drooping eyelid or corner of your mouth
- drooling
- a dry mouth
- loss of taste
- a dry or watering eye
You may also find it difficult to close the eye on the weak side of your face.
Rarely, you may not be able to move both sides of your face.
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
- you have symptoms of Bell's palsy
It's important to get help as soon as possible because treatment for Bell's palsy is more effective if started early (within 72 hours).
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online .
Treatment for Bell's palsy
Treatments for Bell's palsy include:
- a 10-day course of steroid medicine, sometimes with antiviral medicine
- eye drops and ointment to stop the affected eye drying out
- surgical tape to keep the eye closed at bedtime
If you cannot close your eye, you may need treatment to prevent damage to your vision.
Recovering from Bell's palsy
Your Bell's palsy symptoms should get better within 6 months, but it can take longer for some people.
Go back to see a GP if your symptoms are not getting better after 3 weeks.
Some people can have permanent facial weakness and symptoms such as:
- pain in their face, around the jaw and behind the ear
- a constantly watering eye
- difficulty eating and drinking
- changes in their sense of taste
- difficulty with loud sounds
Living with Bell's palsy can make you feel depressed, stressed or anxious. Speak to a GP if it's affecting your mental health.
You'll usually only get Bell's palsy once, but rarely it can come back, sometimes years later.
Bell's palsy
Bell's palsy
Bell's palsy
The main symptom of Bell's palsy is weakness or not being able to move 1 side of your face. Other symptoms include drooling and a dry or watering eye.
Treatments for Bell's palsy include steroid medicine, and eye drops or ointment to stop your eye drying out.
Most people recover from Bell's palsy within 6 months, though it can take longer. Sometimes it can have long-lasting effects.
Content supplied by the NHS website, refreshed 19 August 2026. View the original NHS article ↗
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