Can patients with facial paralysis take a shower?
May 12, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Jun
Introduction
Facial paralysis, also known as facial nerve palsy, generally does not prevent patients from taking showers. Typically, patients with this condition may experience symptoms such as drooping of the mouth corner, air leakage while speaking, and in severe cases, an inability to make facial expressions like crying or smiling. However, it usually does not affect the patient's mobility, so showering is possible. Still, the water temperature should not be too low, and wet hair should be thoroughly dried with a hair dryer after washing.
Facial paralysis, also known as facial nerve palsy, generally allows patients to take showers. A detailed explanation is as follows:
Facial nerve palsy refers to the loss of motor function in the facial muscles, resulting in facial muscle paralysis. Causes include brain lesions and damage to the facial nerve. Typically, patients may present with symptoms such as a crooked mouth corner, air leakage while speaking, and severe cases may be unable to make expressions like crying or smiling. However, the condition usually does not affect the patient's mobility, so taking a shower is permissible. Nevertheless, the water temperature should not be too low. After showering, wet hair should be thoroughly dried with a hairdryer. Additionally, patients should keep warm and avoid exposure to cold to prevent aggravation of the condition.
Furthermore, for patients without contraindications, medications such as prednisone acetate tablets and mecobalamin tablets may be used under medical guidance to promote recovery of the damaged nerve. If a viral infection is present, antiviral drugs such as acyclovir tablets or valacyclovir hydrochloride tablets can be added as part of the treatment. If medication proves ineffective, surgical options such as nerve anastomosis or nerve free grafting may be considered.
