Patient's question:
My husband has had facial paralysis for a year and a half. It was caused by a shingles outbreak on his ear that affected the facial nerve. After acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine treatments, there hasn't been any improvement. Could you please suggest any effective methods to cure it quickly?Doctor's answer:
Facial paralysis does not discriminate by age, and the earlier treatment is started, the better. It is best to seek hospital treatment for standardized care within one week of onset. Prompt use of antiviral medications, neurotrophic drugs, and drugs that promote local blood circulation should be administered. Acupuncture treatment can also be combined to facilitate a faster recovery from facial paralysis.Patients with facial paralysis should pay attention to protecting their corneas, as after the onset of facial paralysis, the widened eye fissures leave the corneas exposed for long periods, making them susceptible to infection. To reduce the risk of corneal inflammation, facial paralysis patients can wear corneal protective goggles.
Preventing exposure to cold can be done starting from daily habits. During hot weather, it is best not to face the face directly toward electric fans or air conditioning. When going out in cold weather, frequently rub and massage the facial skin, as well as key acupoints on the neck, behind the ears, and the face, to promote blood circulation.