How to Treat Facial Neuritis

Written by Tang Li Li
Neurology
Updated on September 25, 2024
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Bell's palsy, once diagnosed, needs to be treated as early as possible, with better outcomes the earlier treatment is started. If the patient does not have any significant contraindications, corticosteroids should be used in the early stages. Common treatments include oral prednisone, typically for about ten days, or dexamethasone intravenous infusion, typically for about five to seven days. Alongside anti-inflammatory corticosteroids, nerve nourishment can be addressed with muscle injections of vitamin B1 and vitamin B12, and patients with better economic conditions can also use mouse nerve growth factor for muscle injection nerve nourishment. Additionally, if the patient has significant pain behind the ear, indicating a possible viral infection, concurrent treatment with acyclovir antiviral therapy should be administered. Later, if recovery is poor, rehabilitative treatment can be provided, including electro-acupuncture physical therapy, infrared magnetic heating, etc., all of which can promote the recovery of Bell's palsy. The overall treatment course approximately takes about 20 days, with total recovery time ranging from 20 days to two months. (Note: Medication should be used under the guidance of a physician, based on the actual conditions.)

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Can people with facial neuritis drink alcohol?

If facial neuritis occurs, one should not drink alcohol, as alcohol itself has a significant damaging effect on nerves. Patients who drink alcohol long-term can experience damage to peripheral nerves, such as numbness and weakness in the limbs. Since facial neuritis is essentially a form of peripheral neuritis, alcohol can damage the facial nerve, hence patients with facial neuritis should not drink alcohol. Patients with facial neuritis need timely treatment, which mainly includes the use of corticosteroids to suppress immune inflammatory responses and reduce facial nerve edema, significantly shortening the course of the disease; in addition, some vitamin B drugs can be used for treatment; physical therapy, rehabilitation training, acupuncture, etc., also play a role in the recovery from facial neuritis. In summary, patients with facial neuritis absolutely should not drink alcohol, as it damages the facial nerve.

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Written by Liu Shi Xiang
Neurology
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The difference between facial neuritis and facial nerve paralysis

The difference between facial neuritis and facial nerve paralysis is that facial neuritis refers specifically to peripheral facial paralysis, while facial nerve paralysis is a broader concept. It includes peripheral facial palsy caused by facial neuritis, as well as central facial palsy caused by cerebrovascular diseases. Therefore, the two have different clinical concepts and symptoms. Facial neuritis can involve paralysis of the entire facial muscles, including the disappearance of forehead lines and the shallowing of the nasolabial fold below the eye slit, as well as deviation of the mouth corner. Facial nerve paralysis, in addition to the symptoms caused by facial neuritis, may also include central facial palsy caused by cerebrovascular diseases. Central facial palsy does not affect the facial muscles above the eye slit, but only causes paralysis of the facial muscles below the eye slit, including shallowing of the nasolabial fold and deviation of the mouth corner. Therefore, facial nerve paralysis is a more extensive concept.

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Written by Yuan Jun Li
Neurology
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What should I do if facial neuritis is accompanied by a fever?

Patients with facial neuritis who experience a fever with a body temperature above 38.5°C can undergo antipyretic treatment. They can take oral acetaminophen or ibuprofen, or receive intramuscular injections of Chaihu and Lysine Aspirin Injection. Simultaneously, antiviral medications should be used, such as ribavirin, oseltamivir, ganciclovir, and acyclovir, etc. It is also crucial to actively use medications that nourish the nerves, such as oral vitamin B1, vitamin B12, cobamamide, and methylcobalamin. During the acute phase, corticosteroids, which also have a certain antipyretic effect, can be used to reduce local edema and promote the absorption of inflammation. Dexamethasone and prednisone are commonly used clinically, and the medication period should generally not exceed two weeks, etc. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Feng Ying Shuai
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Which part of the body is moxibustion applied for facial neuritis?

For facial neuritis, moxibustion on specific areas needs dialectical analysis. Apart from moxibusting local acupoints like Quanliao, Dicang, and Qianzheng for facial neuritis caused by exposure to wind, cold, and damp pathogens, one can dialectically choose distant or nearby acupoints, such as Fengchi, for moxibustion. For cases where facial neuritis has persisted for a long time accompanied by symptoms of physical weakness, such as fatigue and a pale complexion, it is effective to also perform moxibustion on acupoints like Zusanli and Guanyuan, in addition to the local points, to enhance the body's resistance. This approach tends to yield better results.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Is facial neuritis prone to recurrence?

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.)