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Drooping Side Of Face, Numbness. Diagnosed With Bell's Palsy. Due To Contact With Skunk Spray?
On Monday at 11pm- My dog AMI was sprayed by a skunk. He ran right towards me, The sprayed skunk substance was all over his face and right eye. He was taken into the house and put into the tub by me, I scrubbed his face and flushed his eye repeatedly until he was feeling relief. Two days later Thursday at 5am I woke up for work and I thought I was having a stroke . The right side of my face was drooping and felt numb.My husband drove me to the ER. They did a neurological Exam and a CT and chest X ray and Lab work,The diagnosis was Bells Palsy. Is it possible that the contact with the skunk spray could have triggered this condition. Is it possible that the skunk spray substance could have triggered this nervous system problem. Thanks for taking the time to read my letter. Linda/ age 55
Mon, 7 Oct 2013
hello Linda,
thanks for sharing your problem with us.
Bell's palsy is considered an idiopathic facial paralysis. There are many etiologic agents with a shared common pathway leading to facial neurapathy.
Herpes simplex virus is the most likely etiologic agent of the Bell's palsy,but there is different debate on this since many years.
As you described the incident happened 2 days prior you got paralysis can not be in relation with the palsy because it is found that Skunk spray is a non-lethal deterrent and does not contain any poisons or other harmful chemicals that would cause permanent damage, even when exposed to the membranes of the eyes, nose or even mouth.
so I don't think it has any relation with Bell's palsy. But you can discuss with neurologist to find out the cause.
Take care,
Regaurds
thanks for sharing your problem with us.
Bell's palsy is considered an idiopathic facial paralysis. There are many etiologic agents with a shared common pathway leading to facial neurapathy.
Herpes simplex virus is the most likely etiologic agent of the Bell's palsy,but there is different debate on this since many years.
As you described the incident happened 2 days prior you got paralysis can not be in relation with the palsy because it is found that Skunk spray is a non-lethal deterrent and does not contain any poisons or other harmful chemicals that would cause permanent damage, even when exposed to the membranes of the eyes, nose or even mouth.
so I don't think it has any relation with Bell's palsy. But you can discuss with neurologist to find out the cause.
Take care,
Regaurds
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