What Options for Treatment Do You Have?

After a few months, Bell’s palsy will usually run its course and go away.  The recovery time will vary from two weeks to six months after the initial facial paralysis has set in. There are situations where the paralysis may be permanent, but it doesn’t happen often.

As of right now, doctors don’t have a known and definite cure for Bell’s palsy if it is a permanent case. Despite there being no cure for this condition, that doesn’t mean they haven’t come up with some treatment options. Through treatment, they can reduce the symptoms and discomfort that your child could be afflicted with. It’s also important to understand there is no universal treatment for Bell’s palsy. The doctor has to look at each case and tailor a plan based on it.

Taking Medication: Topical Corticosteroids

Known as a steroid-based medication, corticosteroids help lower the amount of inflammation that occurs within the seventh cranial nerve. By reducing the swelling, your child’s facial muscles can slowly go back to their normal functionality. Generally, you should get this medication for your child as soon as possible because doing so will increase its level of effectiveness.

OTC Drugs: How They Help

Unfortunately, the pain has become one of the many symptoms of this condition. Infant Bell’s palsy treatment will often employ the use of over-the-counter pain medication to control the discomfort that an individual experiences. For example, you could use baby acetaminophen or Tylenol. Before you ever try to treat this condition, you should speak with your doctor to ensure that your child gets the right treatment.

Surgery

For the most severe cases, doctors might opt for decompression surgery to deal with the pressure on the facial nerve. Normally, when they conduct this surgery, the surgeon will open the bony corridor that contains the seventh cranial nerve. However, doctors often avoid this because a less serious birth injury with surgery can lead to a lifelong disability of permanent hearing loss or damage to the nerve. Surgery is not the most effective treatment for infant Bell’s palsy, and doctors try to do other things first.

You may want to consider physical therapy if the doctor has diagnosed your child with this birth disorder because the muscles in the face can atrophy when they don’t get stimulated. In some cases, parents can get financial help.