Facial Palsy UK’s Response to Coronavirus (Covid-19)

We will heed current Public Health England (PHE) and Government advice and take measures as needed to protect the best interests of our clients, supporters, volunteers and staff.

Facial palsy and coronavirus

Medical Advisory Board statement:

We have had a number of enquiries about COVID-19, and in particular whether there is any evidence for increased risks to those affected by facial paralysis. We are monitoring the government advice and any published research that may indicate specific increased risks. If you are taking steroids for facial palsy please see additional information below. However, as the virus accesses the body via moist surfaces such as the eye and mouth, theoretically there are reasons to be extra careful with hand hygiene. People who may touch their face more regularly than average include those who have to regularly apply eye lubrication, have a watery eye, or have difficulty eating/dribbling. Regular hand washing and the use of disposable tissues is recommended for everyone to minimise disease transmission.

We cannot offer individual medical advice and suggest you seek advice on specific concerns about COVID-19 and your medical conditions from your doctor. There are the NHS guidelines for COVID-19 at this link– https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/.

Steroid treatment in acute onset facial paralysis

Medical Advisory Board statement:

The recommended management of Bell’s palsy is for the administration of oral steroids for 10-14 days [1]. In light of the current COVID-19 virus pandemic, we have been asked about the safety of oral steroids in those diagnosed with acute onset facial paralysis. The virus has a long incubation period where a person may not display symptoms, therefore steroids may be prescribed without anyone being aware that there was an infection. It is not known if there is any effect on catching the infection if the immune system is compromised by steroids [2].

As with all medical treatments, the balance of risk and benefit has to be weighed up in a discussion between the doctor and patient. A pragmatic approach for those who decide to take steroids is to self-isolate so that they may be at a lower risk if encountering the virus whilst their immune system is compromised.

Reference

1. Nice Guidance on the management of Bell’s Palsy (Last revised Feb 2023).
2. Clinical management of severe acute respiratory infection when novel coronavirus (nCoV) infection is suspected. 2020 World Health Organization.

Eye care and Hand sanitiser

People with facial palsy may need to take more care when using hand sanitiser. When you press the pump on the hand sanitiser it generates aerosols which are a potential threat to the skin and the surface of the eye. An allergic or inflammatory response can occur, particularly in those with pre-existing eye conditions. Visit this link for more information about eye care and sanitiser.

Covid-19 Vaccination and Bell’s palsy

Medical Advisory Board statement:

Some people have expressed concern about reports indicating an apparently higher incidence of Bell’s palsy following vaccination against Covid-19. It is well recognised that both viral infections and vaccinations may affect the immune system and can be associated with facial palsy. Currently there is no strong evidence that the numbers of reported cases of Bell’s palsy are higher than would be expected in the general population but some vaccine manufacturers are now reporting this as a rare temporary side effect. We are aware that a very small number of patients have been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy at a similar time to having the vaccine and that the effects are not always temporary. We are monitoring the situation continuously and will update this information as further evidence comes to light.

Statement above approved by Facial Palsy UK Medical Advisory Board (updated 4th January 2023)

Useful information on the vaccines

Please visit the links below for further information about the vaccines.

Government covid-19 Vaccination programme

More information about each of the vaccines is also available here:

Government Pfizer BioNtech information

Government Moderna (Spikevax) information

Government Astrazeneca information

Government Janssen information

Report from the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery

Covid-19 and Bell’s palsy

Please note

Our support staff are not qualified to advise people whether they should have the vaccine or not and the only information we can provide is the statement above. We will not respond to emails or telephone calls of this nature. Patients must contact their health care provider if they have questions about the vaccination.

First added: 15 March 2020

Last updated: 15 May 2024