The 6 reasons you could suffer facial paralysis like Lil Nas X after he ‘loses control’ of face

RAPPER and musician Lil Nas X has revealed he's suffering partial facial paralysis - leaving him unable to blink his right eye.

The 26-year-old, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, posted to Instagram from hospital letting his 10.4 million followers know he's "lost control" of the right-hand side of his face.

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"This is me doing a full smile right now, by the way," he said in a video, as he unsuccessfully tried to grin. "Bro, I can't even laugh right."

In a follow-up post he reassured fans he was "OK".

One video shows Lil Nas X panning the camera from the left side of his face to the right, joking: "We normal over here, we get crazy over here!"

The star hasn't disclosed the cause of his condition, but fans have speculated it could be Bell's Palsy or Ramsay Hunt syndrome.

Bell's palsy is a temporary facial weakness or paralysis that usually affects one side of the face, and is considered the most prevalent cause of facial paralysis.

Superintendent pharmacist at Chemist Click, Abbas Kanani said dropping on one side of the face or being unable to move one side of the face are key symptoms.

He added: "[The paralysis] may happen on one eye or at the corner of the mouth. The person can also lose their sense of taste, may drool or have a dry mouth or eyes.

"It has been linked to inflammation or swelling of the facial nerve, likely triggered by a viral infection."

Bell's palsy is generally not a serious condition, and most people make a full recovery.

However, the symptoms can be alarming and similar to those of more serious conditions like stroke, so it's crucial to seek medical attention to rule out other possibilities.

Abbas also advised: "Symptoms typically improve within six months when having treatment.

"It usually only happens once. It can come back years later, but this is incredibly rare.

"Long-term there can be permanent weakness, including facial pain, pain around the jaw and behind the ear.

"Also, eyes that continuously water, changes to eating habits and taste, as well as sensitivities to loud sounds."

Sun Health looks at five other causes of facial paralysis below.

Head injuries or facial trauma can damage the facial nerve, leading to paralysis.

University Hospital Southampton notes that skull fractures, especially of the temporal bone, can injure the facial nerve.

Forceps delivery during childbirth can also cause facial paralysis in newborn.

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A stroke can damage the area of the brain responsible for controlling facial muscles, resulting in facial paralysis.

It's a life-threatening condition that occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted, causing brain cells to become damaged or die.

High blood pressure, diabetes, and a history of heart problems are all risk factors for stroke.

If you suspect someone is having a stroke, call 999 immediately.

Tumours in the head, neck, or brain can compress the facial nerve, leading to paralysis.

Common culprits include schwannomas, acoustic neuromas, parotid tumours, and malignant tumours in the head and neck region.

The paralysis can result from direct nerve compression, tumour growth, or surgical removal of the tumour.

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Certain infections, like Lyme disease, Ramsay Hunt syndrome, and meningitis, can damage the facial nerve and cause paralysis.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks.

It's caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, and other symptoms include fever, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans, often resembling a bull's eye.

Lyme disease is generally curable with prompt and appropriate antibiotic treatment, especially when diagnosed and treated early.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a neurological condition caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox and shingles, specifically targeting the facial nerve.

This reactivation leads to inflammation of the facial nerve resulting in facial paralysis, ear pain, and a painful rash on the ear or mouth.

In 2022 singer Justin Bieber experienced Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which led to him taking a break from touring.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome is generally curable, especially with early treatment.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by various factors, including infections (viral, bacterial, or fungal), but can also be caused by certain medications or chemical irritants.

It can lead to serious complications if not treated promptly, including brain damage, nerve damage, and even death.

Facial paralysis can be a complication of meningitis, particularly bacterial meningitis.

Middle ear infections can also lead to facial paralysis.

Conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS) and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) can sometimes cause facial paralysis.

MS is a chronic, autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord.

It's characterised by the immune system mistakenly attacking the myelin sheath, the protective covering around nerve fibres, causing inflammation and damage.

This damage disrupts the signals sent between the brain and the rest of the body, leading to a wide range of symptoms, including facial paralysis.

There is currently no cure for MS. However, treatments are available to manage symptoms, slow disease progression, and improve quality of life.

GBS is a rare neurological disorder where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis.

It often develops after a viral or bacterial infection. GBS can be serious and requires hospitalisation and treatment.

GBS can cause facial paralysis, often appearing bilaterally (on both sides of the face).

There is no cure, but treatments like plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy can help reduce symptoms, shorten the duration of the illness, and improve recovery.