FACE DROPS: A Clinical Risk Assessment Tool for Differentiation of Acute Lyme Disease-Associated Facial Palsy From Bell Palsy

What Is This Study About?

This study developed FACE DROPS, a clinical risk assessment tool that helps physicians rapidly distinguish between facial palsy caused by Lyme disease and Bell’s palsy. Since these conditions require fundamentally different treatments, rapid differentiation is critical.

Key Findings

• Created and validated a scoring system (FACE DROPS) for differentiating Lyme-associated facial palsy from Bell’s palsy
• Enables faster, more accurate diagnosis at the point of care
• Guides appropriate treatment—antibiotics for Lyme disease versus steroids for Bell’s palsy

What This Means for Patients

Correct early diagnosis directly impacts recovery. Patients with Lyme disease-associated facial palsy require antibiotic therapy, while Bell’s palsy patients benefit from corticosteroids.