A document released on December 8, ahead of the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) meeting on December 10, reveals more details about the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine—which is expected to be the first to be authorized for emergency use in the US.
The document reveals that four cases of Bell's palsy, a condition that causes temporary facial paralysis, were identified in study participants who received the vaccine—but in none of the participants who received a placebo. At least one of the patients has recovered, and there's no evidence that the vaccine caused the problem. Here's what to know about this condition.
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What causes Bell's palsy?
Bell's palsy is caused by impairment of the seventh cranial nerve, one of the facial nerves. "It can result from trauma, but more commonly occurs due to viral infection of the nerve itself," Jason D. Hinman, MD, PhD, assistant professor of neurology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, tells Health. (Dr. Hinman stresses that Bell's palsy isn't known to be caused by SARS-COV-2, the virus that leads to COVID-19.)
Bell's palsy can affect people of any age, and risk factors include pregnancy, preeclampsia, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and upper respiratory ailments, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke(NINDS).
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Bell's palsy symptoms to look for
Bell's palsy usually affects only one side of the face, but it can affect both sides, according to NINDS. Symptoms vary but typically include sudden weakness on one side of the face, a drooping eyelid or corner of the mouth, drooling, an inability to close the eye or mouth, changes in taste, and excessive tearing in the eye. Symptoms appear suddenly and reach their peak within 72 hours, reports NINDS, and there's a broad severity spectrum, from mild weakness to total paralysis.
"Bell's palsy is time-limited and patients generally recover quickly—in a matter of weeks," Dr. Hinman says. "On the spectrum of neurologic disease, it is generally not serious, although severe cases can cause permanent facial paralysis."
How to treat Bell's palsy
Steroids and antiviral medications are the go-to treatment, Dr. Hinman says. "Sometimes an eye patch is needed if the eyelid muscles are impaired and the eyelid cannot close completely," he adds. It's important to keep the eye moist with lubricating eye drops and protect it from debris and injury, particularly at night.
NINDS also recommends analgesics such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen to relieve pain, and says therapies like physical therapy, facial massage, or acupuncture may help with facial nerve function and pain relief.
Four People Given the New COVID Vaccine in Clinical Trials Developed Bell's Palsy-Here's Why You Shouldn't Be Worried
Four study subjects for Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine developed Bell's palsy, which causes facial paralysis. Find out more here.
I know BGOL is home of Colin but damn, your comment was debunked in the SECOND SENTENCE.
. All of these vaccines have some side effects though, so good luck avoiding that COVID without a vaccine.
