Question
Our two-year-old child has developed a facial paralysis symptom, which may be related to a previous illness. How long does it usually take for children with facial paralysis to recover?
Answer
Facial paralysis in children is commonly seen in situations such as trauma, Bell’s palsy, and middle ear mastoiditis, especially in traumatic cases. Additionally, a few cases may originate from congenital malformations or malignant diseases. Parents should observe their child’s facial expressions during sleep or when calm to ensure symmetry, and pay attention to whether both sides of the face are consistent when the child freely expresses emotions (such as crying or laughing). During treatment, facial warmth should be maintained, and hot towels can be used for wet compress or hot water bags for heat therapy on the affected area, but the risk of burns should be avoided. Generally, the recovery treatment for children with facial paralysis takes about one to two weeks.