Does facial neuritis need treatment?

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on May 24, 2025
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Facial neuritis, also known as idiopathic facial paralysis, can self-heal in a minority of patients with very mild symptoms without treatment. However, for most patients, it is still recommended to seek treatment promptly as it involves a non-specific inflammatory response. Treatment mainly involves the use of corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and swelling of the facial nerve. Additionally, treatment with B vitamins such as commonly used B1 and vitamin B12 is necessary, as these can nourish the peripheral nerves. Furthermore, patients also need to undergo some physical therapy and rehabilitation training. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician.)

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

Patients with facial neuritis generally do not experience vomiting. The main symptoms in patients are paralysis of the facial expression muscles around the eyes and mouth, which may present with the disappearance or lightening of the wrinkles on the affected side of the forehead, enlarged eye slits, incomplete eyelid closure, and exposure of the white sclera when attempting to close the eyes. Additionally, flattening of the nasolabial fold may occur, as well as reduced or lost taste sensation in the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. Patients may have symptoms such as a crooked mouth when whistling, air escape when puffing cheeks, and food retention on the affected side during meals, which increases the risk of oral infections and conjunctivitis. If vomiting occurs, other causes should be actively considered, such as the possibility of high blood pressure or electrolyte imbalance like hyponatremia. Dietary indiscretion could also be a cause, necessitating a comprehensive analysis.

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Written by Feng Ying Shuai
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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How long does facial neuritis require acupuncture treatment?

Facial nerve neuritis, acupuncture is a very important rehabilitation method for it. The duration of acupuncture should be analyzed based on different individuals. Acupuncture mainly helps with the recovery from facial nerve neuritis. The duration of acupuncture is primarily to restore the movement and sensation of the facial expression muscles on the affected side to be almost the same as the healthy side. At that point, acupuncture can be stopped. Based on clinical situations, most people might need about 2-3 courses of acupuncture to see improvement. However, there are a very small number of people who might need a longer duration of acupuncture, such as 4-5 courses, and some even longer. The duration of acupuncture depends on the location of the nerve damage. If the damage is close to the inside of the skull, the duration might be longer, whereas if it's closer to the outside, it might be shorter. Additionally, the constitution of the patient also plays a role; patients with a stronger constitution might require less time, while those who are weaker, older, or have complications such as diabetes might need a longer duration of acupuncture.

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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.)

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Facial neuritis should be seen in the Department of Neurology.

Facial neuritis is a type of cranial nerve disease and is one of the most common diseases in neurology. Therefore, appointments for facial neuritis should be made in the department of neurology. Neurologists have extensive experience in the diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatment of facial neuritis. This disease is mainly caused by idiopathic facial nerve palsy, resulting in edema of the facial nerve, which suffers from ischemia and hypoxia due to compression within the facial nerve canal, leading to functional impairment. Some patients may also experience hypersensitivity to sound, external auditory canal herpes, and taste disorders, among other symptoms. Neurologists will provide appropriate treatment based on the patient's condition, such as administering corticosteroids, and vitamins B1, B12, and others for management. Rehabilitation departments may also be consulted to provide rehabilitation exercises. (Please consult a professional doctor for medication guidance and do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Nursing Measures for Facial Neuritis

Facial neuritis is a nonspecific inflammatory response of the facial nerve, which can cause paralysis of the facial expression muscles. Patients may exhibit symptoms such as crooked mouth, drooling, incomplete eye closure, and a shallower nasolabial fold. The nursing measures for facial neuritis mainly include: First, it is essential to protect the eyes. Since some patients with facial neuritis may experience reduced tear gland secretion, their eyes can become very dry, and it is advisable to use eye drops. Additionally, some patients may not be able to fully close their eyes, allowing dust and viruses to easily infect the cornea and cause keratitis. It is necessary to cover the eyes with a moist gauze, especially during sleep at night. Second, patients should avoid spicy and irritating foods and adhere to a bland diet. Third, it is important to keep the face warm, and it is best for patients to wear a mask. (Note: The doctor's answer is for reference only. Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician and do not self-medicate.)