Bell's Palsy

Diagnosis and management of facial nerve palsy.

Reviewed by Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MSt MRCGP (General Practitioner)

Last reviewed: 21 October 2025

NeurologyENT

Turn this into CPDPractise this topic, identify learning gaps and prepare a CPD draft you can review.Find reviewed question practiceChoose your examination. iatroX will check for an exact reviewed question set before offering a topic; no filter or session starts automatically.

regional clinical guidance

Bell's Palsy: guidance by region

Recommendations, thresholds and pathways can differ. Open the page written for the jurisdiction you need.

United StatesBell's palsy recognition and early careNeurology · reviewed 2026-08-20 CanadaBell's palsy (acute facial nerve palsy)Neurology · reviewed 2026-08-20 AustraliaBell's palsy (acute facial nerve palsy)Neurology · reviewed 2026-08-20

Clinical Guidelines

CKS: Bell's palsy

CKS: Bell's palsy Management

Management | Bell's palsy | CKS | NICE

NICE guideline [NG180]

Bell's Palsy Clinical Practice Guidelines (SFORL, 2020)

Clinical Management Guidelines: Facial nerve palsy (Bell's palsy) (College of Optometrists)

Clinical Practice Guideline: Bell's palsy (AAO-HNSF, 2013)

Clinical Practice Guideline: Bell's palsy (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2013)

Clinical Practice Guideline: Bell's Palsy executive summary (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2013)

Clinical Practice Guidelines : Facial weakness and Bell's palsy (Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne)

French Society of ENT (SFORL) guidelines. Management of acute Bell's palsy

Summary of Japanese clinical practice guidelines for Bell's palsy (idiopathic facial palsy) - 2023 update