Bilateral Facial Nerve Palsy: A Rare Complication of Chickenpox

We report a rare case of bilateral lower motor neuron facial nerve palsy in an immunocompetent woman in her 50s following varicella infection. She presented with complaints of difficulty in closing both eyes, difficulty chewing food, deviation of the oral commissure, more pronounced on the right side, and loss of taste sensation one month after chickenpox infection. Examination revealed bilateral lower motor neuron facial weakness along with a few crusted vesicles over the face and extremities, suggesting varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection. The diagnosis of varicella was made clinically based on the characteristic vesicular rash and illness course. Clinical evaluation and investigations ruled out other alternative etiologies. She responded well to oral corticosteroids and physiotherapy, achieving full recovery within one month. This case highlights an uncommon neurological complication of varicella and emphasizes the importance of vaccination in preventing such complications.