Question
Detailed medical condition and purpose of consultation: I have had facial paralysis for two months and am currently applying plasters, but the effect is slow. Which treatment method is the fastest? The patient has diabetes and other diseases, and the doctor said that acupuncture cannot be used.
Answer
There is no specific treatment for facial paralysis. The use of corticosteroid hormones such as prednisone for 1 to 2 weeks continuously within 2 days after the onset of symptoms may be effective. However, whether this can alleviate pain and promote recovery is currently not conclusively proven. If the eyelids cannot close, lubricating eye drops or an eye mask can be used every few hours to protect the eyes. Massaging the paralyzed facial muscles can help with recovery. If the facial paralysis persists for 6 to 12 months or longer, consider surgical transplantation of a healthy nerve (often the hypoglossal nerve) to the paralyzed facial muscles.