How long does it take for facial neuritis to recover?

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on May 07, 2025
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Facial neuritis, also known as idiopathic facial paralysis, generally has a good prognosis for most patients. Typically, treatment involves corticosteroids, supplemented with B vitamins, along with rehabilitative physiotherapy and local acupuncture. Most patients can recover within one to two months, and many do not experience any residual effects. However, if the facial nerve paralysis is particularly severe from the onset, and the patient is elderly with additional risk factors such as diabetes, recovery may be slower, possibly taking between two to eight months. Some patients may even suffer from some degree of lasting effects. Therefore, while most cases of facial neuritis recover well, usually within one to two months, more severe cases may need up to eight months or longer for recovery.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Can facial neuritis be cured?

Facial neuritis is a relatively common disease in neurology. It is mainly caused by viral infection or other nonspecific inflammatory reactions, leading to local inflammation of the facial nerve, which results in edema of the facial nerve and clinical manifestations caused by compression within the facial nerve canal. The main symptoms include shallower furrows on the affected side of the forehead, weakness in opening and closing the eyes, drooping and skewing of the mouth corner, drooling, weakness in puffing the cheeks, and air leakage when puffing the cheeks. Most patients with facial neuritis have a good prognosis, as long as the diagnosis is clear and appropriate treatment is administered in a timely manner, such as treatment with corticosteroids and B vitamins. If it is caused by a viral infection, appropriate antiviral treatment is given, and most patients can fully recover in about three months. If the condition is severe at the onset, or if the patient has risk factors such as diabetes, the prognosis is not very good. Overall, most people with facial neuritis recover well.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Should one avoid certain foods with facial neuritis?

Patients with facial neuritis should still avoid certain foods during the acute phase. They should avoid alcohol, spicy and irritating foods, and preferably seafood as well. Consuming these foods may lead to immune dysfunction, which is detrimental to nerve recovery. Patients with facial neuritis are advised to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, which contain high levels of Vitamin C to enhance the body's resistance. They can also consume foods rich in B vitamins, such as whole grains, lean meats, and animal liver. For medication treatment, it is essential to treat promptly. If there are no contraindications, corticosteroids may be used under a doctor’s advice. (Please follow medical advice regarding medication.)

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Is facial neuritis inflammation?

Bell's palsy is essentially an inflammatory reaction, but this inflammation is a nonspecific type. It also exhibits the typical inflammatory symptoms of redness, swelling, heat, and pain. However, this inflammation is not caused by direct infection from viruses, bacteria, or fungi. Since Bell's palsy is an inflammatory condition, its treatment must include corticosteroids for management. Additionally, administration of B vitamins is necessary to promote nerve function recovery. Moreover, targeted rehabilitation exercises, acupuncture, and local physiotherapy from the rehabilitation department also play a vital role in the recovery from Bell's palsy. Generally, with proper and timely treatment, Bell's palsy can fully recover, and most patients will not experience any impact on their future quality of life. However, if the symptoms of Bell's palsy are very severe, and the patient has a history of diabetes, the prognosis may be poorer.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Facial neuritis hormone treatment

If the diagnosis of facial neuritis is confirmed, and the patient does not have evident history of femoral head necrosis or diabetes, then it is advocated to treat facial neuritis with corticosteroids. Corticosteroids can suppress some of the inflammatory responses of facial neuritis, reduce edema, and facilitate the swift recovery of facial nerve function. The current guidelines recommend the use of corticosteroids for treatment. However, if the patient has conditions like elevated blood sugar, femoral head necrosis, osteoporosis, or gastric ulcers, the use of corticosteroids must be cautious to avoid adverse reactions. During the administration of corticosteroids, it is crucial to ensure the patient receives supplements of calcium and potassium to prevent electrolyte disturbances and osteoporosis. Besides corticosteroids, intake of B vitamins can also aid in promoting the repair of nerve functions.

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Written by Liu Yan Hao
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The causes of facial neuritis are

Facial neuritis, the most common cause, is due to infection by the optic nerve virus. This virus invades the nerves, especially prone to invade the facial nerve, causing damage, inflammation, and edema of the facial nerve, leading to symptoms of facial paralysis, which are manifested as shallower forehead wrinkles, shallower nasolabial folds, widened palpebral fissures, incomplete eyelid closure, and the mouth corner deviating to the opposite side. In the acute phase of treatment, some drugs that reduce nerve edema can be used, along with drugs that nourish the nerves. After the acute phase, when the condition stabilizes, comprehensive treatments such as acupuncture and physiotherapy can be combined. Additionally, the cause of the disease is greatly related to the decrease in the body's immunity. Patients are more likely to become infected and develop symptoms of facial neuritis when their immunity is lowered due to staying up late, exhaustion, and irregular lifestyles. (Medication use should be done under the guidance of a professional doctor.)