How do I know if it's Bell's palsy or a stroke?

The key clue is the forehead. Bell's palsy affects the whole half of the face including the forehead, so you cannot wrinkle that side or close the eye. A stroke usually spares the forehead and often causes other symptoms such as arm or leg weakness, slurred speech or vision loss. If there is any doubt, or any symptom beyond the face, call 995 immediately and use the FAST check - it is always safer to be assessed for stroke.

Will my face recover from Bell's palsy?

Most people recover well. Many start to improve within 2-3 weeks, with full or near-full recovery over weeks to a few months, especially when steroid treatment is started early. A minority recover more slowly or incompletely. Protecting the eye and following up with your doctor support the best outcome, and physiotherapy may help.

How quickly should I start treatment for Bell's palsy?

As soon as possible. Steroid tablets work best when started early - ideally within 72 hours of the first symptom - so you should see a doctor on the same day that symptoms appear. Do not wait to 'see if it goes away', because the early window for treatment is when steroids do the most good.

Why do I need to protect my eye with Bell's palsy?

Because the eyelid on the affected side may not close fully, the surface of the eye can dry out and become damaged, risking ulcers and, rarely, lasting harm. Use lubricating eye drops during the day, ointment and taping/patching at night as advised, and wear sunglasses outdoors. See a doctor promptly if the eye becomes red, painful or sore.

Is Bell's palsy contagious or dangerous?

Bell's palsy itself is not contagious. While it is linked to viral infections, you cannot 'catch' the facial weakness from someone. It is usually not dangerous and most people recover, but the main risk is eye damage if the eye is not protected. The most important early step is to make sure the weakness is not due to a stroke.

Bell’s Palsy in Singapore: Facial Weakness, Stroke Check & Rec

Written & reviewed by the BestDoctors.sg editorial team · Last updated 3 Sep 2026 · General information, not medical advice

Quick answer. Bell’s palsy is sudden weakness or drooping of one side of the face, caused by inflammation of the facial nerve – usually with no clear cause and often linked to a viral infection. It is NOT a stroke, but they can look alike. The key difference: Bell’s palsy affects the whole half of the face INCLUDING the forehead (you cannot wrinkle that side or close the eye), while a stroke usually SPARES the forehead and often causes arm/leg weakness or speech problems. If you have ANY doubt, treat it as a stroke and call 995 (use FAST). Bell’s palsy is treated with early steroid tablets – ideally within 72 hours – which improve recovery. Most people recover well. Protecting the eye is essential while the eyelid cannot close.

Troubled by headaches, dizziness, numbness or memory changes?

Message our care team on WhatsApp. Tell us what’s going on and we’ll help you find the right best neurology clinic — free, with no obligation.

Chat with our care team on WhatsApp

Not sure who to see? Find the right specialist →

In a medical emergency, or for severe or sudden symptoms such as breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting or stroke signs, call 995 immediately.

Waking up with one side of your face drooping is alarming, and your first thought may be ‘stroke’. Bell’s palsy is a common, usually temporary cause of sudden one-sided facial weakness, caused by inflammation of the facial nerve that controls the muscles of one side of the face. In most cases no specific cause is found (it is ‘idiopathic’), and it is often linked to a viral infection.

The most important task at the start is to make sure it is not a stroke. This guide explains how to tell the difference, why early treatment matters, how to protect your eye, and what recovery looks like. If you are ever unsure whether facial weakness is a stroke, treat it as an emergency and call 995.

At a glance

Bell's palsy vs stroke – how to tell the difference
Clue	Bell's palsy	Stroke (call 995)
Forehead	Affected – you CANNOT wrinkle that side of the forehead or close the eye	Usually SPARED – you can still wrinkle the forehead
Other body parts	Only the face; no arm or leg weakness	Often arm/leg weakness or numbness on one side
Speech and vision	Speech clear (though lips may move unevenly)	Slurred speech, confusion, or vision loss may occur
Onset	Over hours to about a day	Sudden, often within seconds to minutes
What to do	See a doctor urgently (same day) for steroids	Call 995 immediately – use FAST

What is Bell's palsy?

Bell’s palsy is a sudden weakness or paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face, caused by inflammation and swelling of the facial nerve (the seventh cranial nerve) as it passes through a narrow bony channel. This nerve controls facial expression, eyelid closing on that side, and contributes to tear and saliva production and taste.

In most cases the exact cause is unknown, but it is often associated with a viral infection; reactivation of viruses such as the cold-sore (herpes simplex) virus is thought to play a role. It can affect anyone but is more common in adults, and the risk is higher in pregnancy and in people with diabetes.

Symptoms to recognise

Symptoms usually come on quickly, over hours, and are often noticed on waking. They affect one side and may include:

Drooping of one side of the face, with difficulty smiling or showing expression.
Inability to close the eye fully on the affected side, or to wrinkle that side of the forehead.
Drooling or food/drink leaking from one corner of the mouth.
Dryness of the eye or, in some people, watering; sometimes a change in taste, increased sensitivity to sound, or pain around the ear on that side.

Bell’s palsy affects only the face. It should not cause weakness, numbness or clumsiness in the arm or leg, slurred speech or vision loss – if any of these are present, it may be a stroke or another condition and needs emergency assessment.

The crucial step: rule out a stroke

This is the most important part. Bell’s palsy and a stroke can both cause a drooping face, but they differ in a key way:

Bell’s palsy affects the whole half of the face, including the forehead. The person cannot wrinkle the forehead or fully close the eye on the affected side.
A stroke usually spares the forehead (the person can still wrinkle it), and often comes with other symptoms – arm or leg weakness, numbness, slurred speech, confusion or vision problems.

Use the FAST check: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 995. If there is any doubt, or any symptom beyond the face, treat it as a stroke and call 995 immediately. It is always safer to be checked. Even if it turns out to be Bell’s palsy, you should still see a doctor urgently the same day, because early treatment improves recovery.

Treatment – early steroids matter

The main treatment for Bell’s palsy is a short course of steroid tablets (usually prednisolone), which reduce nerve inflammation and swelling.

Timing is important: starting steroids early, ideally within 72 hours of the first symptom, gives the best chance of full recovery. This is why same-day medical review matters.
Antiviral medication is sometimes added in more severe cases, on a doctor’s advice.
Eye protection (see below) is part of treatment from day one.

Most people are managed by a GP or polyclinic doctor and may be referred to a specialist if the diagnosis is uncertain, symptoms are severe, or recovery is slow.

Protecting your eye and recovery

Eye care is essential. If you cannot close the eyelid, the surface of the eye can dry out and become damaged, which can lead to ulcers and, rarely, lasting damage. Protect it by:

Using lubricating eye drops during the day and eye ointment at night, as advised.
Taping or patching the eye closed at night, or as recommended by your doctor.
Wearing sunglasses outdoors to shield the eye.
Seeing a doctor promptly if the eye becomes red, painful or sore.

Recovery: The outlook is generally good. Many people begin to improve within 2-3 weeks, and most recover well over weeks to a few months, especially with early treatment. A minority have slower or incomplete recovery. Facial exercises or physiotherapy may help. If there is no sign of improvement after a few weeks, or symptoms worsen, return to your doctor for review.

Related guides

Sources

Last updated 22 June 2026. Prices are typical market ranges gathered from the cited sources and vary by clinic, doctor and individual case — they are not quotes. This guide is general information, not medical advice; always consult a qualified, MOH-accredited doctor before any treatment.

Related conditions & guides

Related conditions and guides you may find useful:

Part of our Brain & nerves guides · Browse all health topics

Bell’s Palsy in Singapore: Facial Weakness, Stroke Check & Recovery Guide