Vol. 2, Issue 2, Part A (2020)

Bell's palsy or idiopathic facial paralysis is characterized by facial drooping on the affected half, due to malfunction of the facial nerve and lagophthalmia. The herpes simplex virus, which causes cold sores and genital herpes, is commonly found in people afflicted with Bell's palsy. Simplex can follow multiple nerve branches, while zoster tends to follow a single nerve branch, such as the first division of the fifth cranial nerve. According to the Mayo Clinic, evidence from clinical trials shows that treatment with steroids tends to be more successful than treatment with antivirals. Three cases were treated by medical treatment. Some considerations on medical treatment of three cases HZO with Bell’s paralysis were reviewed. The results of medical treatment are reported herein.