May 17, 2013 Bell's palsy is a disorder of the nerve that
controls movement of the muscles in the face. This nerve is
called the facial or 7th cranial nerve. Damage to this nerve
causes weakness or paralysis of these muscles. Paralysis means
that you cannot use the muscles at all. Back to TopAlternative
Names Facial palsy; Idiopathic peripheral facial palsy; Cranial
mononeuropathy Back to TopCauses Bell's palsy affects about
30,000 - 40,000 people a year in the United States. Bell's palsy
involves damage to the seventh cranial (facial) nerve. This
nerve controls the movement of the muscles of the face. Bell's
palsy is thought to be due to swelling (inflammation) of this
nerve in the area where it travels through the bones of the
skull. The cause is often not clear. A type of herpes infection
called herpes zoster might be involved. Other conditions that
may cause Bell's palsy include: Back to TopSymptoms Sometimes
you may have a cold shortly before the symptoms of Bell's palsy
begin. Symptoms most often start