found for the facial palsy, it should be treated. If it is estimated that the likelihood that the facial palsy is caused by Lyme disease exceeds 10%, empiric therapy with antibiotics should be initiated, without corticosteroids, and reevaluated upon completion of laboratory tests for Lyme disease. All other patients should be treated with corticosteroids and, if the palsy is severe, antivirals. Facial palsy is considered severe if the person is unable to close the affected eye completely or the face is asymmetric even at rest. Corticosteroids initiated within three days of Bell's palsy onset have been found to increase chances of recovery, reduce time to recovery, and reduce residual symptoms in case of incomplete recovery. However, for facial palsy caused by Lyme disease, corticosteroids have been found in some studies to harm outcomes. Other studies have found antivirals to possibly improve outcomes relative to corticosteroids alone for severe Bell's palsy. In those whose blinking is disrupted by the facial palsy, frequent use of artificial tears while awake is recommended, along with ointment and a patch or taping the eye closed when sleeping. Several surgical treatment options exist to restore symmetry to the paralyzed face in patients where function does not return (see section Tumors above). References External links Peripheral nervous system disorders Otorhinolaryngology Nerve paralysis