[Skip to Content]
Barbara Bush Children's Hospital

The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital
At Maine Medical Center

22 Bramhall Street
Portland, Maine 04102-3175
www.bbch.org


What Is Bell's Palsy?

Bell's Palsy

Say: belz POL-zee

Bell's palsy causes problems with the nerves in a person's face. People who have it might look as if half of their face is frozen or droopy because the nerves and muscles there aren't working. Bell's palsy can be caused by an injury (like getting hit really hard in the face); by the flu or other viruses; by diabetes; or by Lyme disease. It usually goes away quickly.