It is not as common as erythema migrans or fever, but if you’re suspecting Lyme disease, you need to know there’s a possibility to experience a series of cranial nerve dysfunctions as a result of a second stage Lyme disease. The second stage of the disease is experienced by 25% of patients and start after 3 to 10 weeks of inoculation, and only 3% of patients experience a cranial nerve palsy, usually involving the facial nerve.
This is also known as Bell palsy, and it is especially common in children. These patients usually have a headache and meningitis-like symptoms as well, and facial palsy is basically a paralysis of the facial nerves leading to an inability to move the muscles in one half of the face.