Which part of the body is moxibustion applied for facial neuritis?

Written by Feng Ying Shuai
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Updated on February 04, 2025
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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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Symptoms of facial neuritis

The clinical symptoms of facial neuritis mainly manifest as peripheral facial paralysis, such as the patient's affected side having shallower forehead wrinkles, or disappearing wrinkles, weakened eyelid closure, and in some severe cases, the inability to close the eyes, which can easily lead to corneal damage. There is also noticeable drooping of the mouth corner, a shallower nasolabial fold, and leaking while drinking. The affected individuals are unable to whistle or puff their cheeks. Some patients may also experience disorders in the secretion of salivary and lacrimal glands, taste disturbances at the anterior part of the tongue, and a few may have herpes zoster in the external auditory canal or periosteum with significant pain. The treatment for facial neuritis generally involves the use of corticosteroids.

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Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
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What should be paid attention to in daily life with facial neuritis?

If facial neuritis occurs, one should pay attention to eye care. Due to facial neuritis, eyelid closure may be incomplete, potentially allowing foreign objects or infections to enter the eye. Therefore, it is advisable to reduce outdoor activities, keep the eyes clean, and during social interactions, cover the affected eye with an eye patch or apply ophthalmic ointment to prevent conjunctival or corneal infections, while minimizing eye use. Regarding diet, some patients may experience disturbances in taste, so it is important to be mindful of the temperature of food, avoid hard food, and maintain oral hygiene.

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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 Tang Bo
Neurology
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What causes facial neuritis?

Facial neuritis, also known as idiopathic facial nerve paralysis or Bell's palsy, is caused by nonspecific inflammation of the facial nerve inside the cranial foramen, leading to peripheral facial paralysis. The exact cause is currently unknown, but it is thought to possibly be related to viral infections of the optic nerve, as well as potentially due to exposure to cold or upper respiratory tract infections. The mechanism of onset involves the bony facial nerve canal, which can only accommodate the facial nerve. However, if the facial nerve becomes ischemic and swollen, it will inevitably lead to nerve compression. Viral infections can lead to local autoimmune responses in the nerves and spasms of the nutrient vessels, resulting in ischemic swelling and facial nerve paralysis.

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Written by Yuan Jun Li
Neurology
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Does facial neuritis cause fever?

Bell's palsy can cause fever, usually a low-grade fever. When the body temperature is between 37°C and 38°C, it is generally referred to as low-grade fever. The primary cause of Bell's palsy is viral infection. Patients may also exhibit symptoms such as eye fissures, paralysis of the facial expression muscles of the upper and lower face, disappearance of forehead creases, enlargement of the eye fissures, incomplete eyelid closure, showing white sclera when the eyes are closed, shallowing of the nasolabial folds, deviation of the mouth corners, air leakage when whistling, air escaping when puffing cheeks, loss or reduction of taste in the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, and difficulty in retaining food on the affected side when eating. Patients are prone to developing oral inflammation and conjunctivitis. Early and proper treatment after the onset is crucial, and most patients can achieve clinical cure after treatment.