Shingles can be a recurring problem for many sufferers and its frequency is more dangerous for those with weakened immune systems such as HIV or people receiving cancer chemotherapy. Ramsay Hunt syndrome is not thought to recur although there are some rare cases of recurrent bouts. Also, there is no known way to prevent Ramsay Hunt syndrome, but recovery is improved with the use of medications early in the course of the symptoms.

About 7% of patients have recurrent Bell's palsy. The mean recurrence interval is 10 years. Recurrent Bells tends to cluster in families as well as diabetics and may also be triggered by some diseases.

It must be noted that in cases where Bell's palsy returns, a small percentage of patients report that the second occurrence is worse leaving them with more noticable effects. The period of recovery may be longer and the success of the recovery not as complete although this again is rare and based on the studies of much smaller population. For permanent or long term (years) cases, surgery has been an option to repair the damaged facial nerve through grafting techniques.

Other people with repeated Bell's palsy report complete recovery but nevertheless there is a chance that you will suffer multiple bouts throughout your life.

It is also thought that a person who has been affected by Bell's palsy is more susceptible to a relapse in certain environments like driving with the window down, walking in cold and windy weather, sleeping in drafty conditions.

On a personal note, I know of a friend who suffered from a bout of Bells palsy after walking her dog in a windy field. This left her with a droop on one side of her face but she recovered fully. It's now ten years later and she recently started to feel the same 'twinges' in her face after being exposed to some freezing winds. It may be a coincidence but personal testimonies from all over the world are reporting along similar lines.