Learn how we can help. Sounds crazy, but that location actually existsand it can be just as dangerous as it sounds. When you pop a pimple in this area, the skin might become infected. Rebecca Jane Stokes is a freelance writer and the former Senior Editor of Pop Culture at Newsweek with a passion for lifestyle, geek news, and true crime. The phrase "triangle of death" might sound slightly extreme when talking aboutpimple popping. Doctors pay special attention to infections in this area. "Seek the help of a board certified dermatologist or licensed aesthetician to extract, inject or otherwise treat problematic pimples that prove to be persistent and resistant to topical therapies," Hartman said. The triangle of death, also called the danger triangle, is a specific area on your face where many medical professionals warn against popping pimples. If you're wondering whether that's a real possibility or an exaggeration designed to inspire shock, here's what you should know about the danger triangle. This story has been shared 174,941 times. The eventuality you are worrying about is rare. When they do, it can be tempting to squeeze the suckers once they've turned white in hopes of getting rid of them faster. It's highly unlikely, but technically possible. The skin around your face, and especially in the triangle of death, is a first line of defense against invading bacteria. Popping a pimple within . Next time if you get a pimple spring for some hyloraunic pimple patched to cover the blemish and help minimize the size and shade. Is It Really Dangerous to Pop a Pimple In the Danger Triangle? See additional information. Additionally, Dr. Vij noted that you should ensure the spaces underneath your fingernails are clean since bacteria are good at hiding there. The area includes the bridge of the nose and corners of the mouth. In other words, this operation needs your full attention. Another reason to keep your hands off that particular region is that it's more likely to scar, according to Dr. Vij. But it turns out that I'm actually lucky to have made it out of these pimple-popping sessions alive. He or she will determine whether you need an antibiotic. Addressing acne in this area of the face should be handled with care. We've received your submission. Boils on your inner thigh can be painful. The triangle of death is the area of your face including your upper lip, nose, and between your eyebrows. You should do this with one of two instruments: A cotton swab or the soft part of your fingertip. Please consult your doctor before taking any action. Dermatologists recommend using ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and retinoids instead of popping. If you do, and the pimple still doesn't pop, that's a sign that it's not ready and that you should abort mission.) Popping a pimple in the "death triangle" is dangerous is because it's near blood vessels with a direct link to. It has access to our control center.. This type of infection can also be prevented with better hygiene practices. So what makes popping a pimple so much more dangerous here than, say, bursting one smack in the middle of your forehead? When you get a zit slap bang in the middle of your face, your reaction is usually to squeeze it immediately. Cover cuts with topical ointments petroleum jelly can work for minor cuts. It's bad to pop your pimples as it can lead to various skin infections. According to Jeremy Brauer, clinical professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Centre, the veins that are running behind our eye socket lead back to the 'cavernous sinus' which is located in the brain. But this is especially true for the area on your face known as the "triangle of death.". A condition called cavernous sinus thrombosis can develop in the sinus cavity as a result of the infection. It's dangerous to pop a pimple in the danger triangle of the face not because popping a zit in this area will leave a mark; in fact, it's much more dangerous. this morning i woke up at around 5:30 because i have a pimple just underneath my lips towards the right side. What Top Skin Docs Do When They Get a Pimple, Here's How Pimple Patches Actually Help Get Rid of Zits, Sweat Pimples Aren't Entirely Caused By Sweat Here's What You Should Know, What You Need to Know About Cortisone Shots for Acne, How to Pop a Pimple Without Causing Future Harm, The Best Body Acne Treatments to Fight Blemishes from Head to Toe, Why You Keep Getting Pimples Inside Your Nose, and What to Do About It, Drew Barrymore Revealed the One Trick That Helps Her "Make Peace" with Maskne, These Are the Best Products for Treating Scalp Acne, All I Want This Holiday Season Is a Lifetime Supply of These Pimple Patches. When accidentally stuck by a needle, its important to report it and follow up with your doctor for testing afterward. If you've got a pimple in the danger zone and have to get rid of it, though it's not recommended, there are lots of ways to do so without popping it. Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere. Long ago, this condition was a death sentence, but now we have medicine to help treat it. Do not consider WebMD Blogs as medical advice. 3. One such don't pertains to a particularly ominously-named region of your face: the "danger triangle.". But what makes squeezing zits in the triangle of danger so much riskier has to do with its location. As published by the magazine, the veins in the "danger triangle" ultimately lead back to the cavernous sinus, located in our brain. This is the zone known as the triangle of death, or the danger triangle of the face. Thanks for your recommendation! 1 doctor answer 1 doctor weighed in Share Dr. Ed Friedlander answered Pathology 46 years experience Ignore it: The danger of a cavernous sinus thrombosis from this is greatly overrated. However, infections are rare. Still, healthcare providers say that there's a particularly dangerous area on your facecolloquially referred to as the "triangle of death"that you should keep your hands off of. Then, tone the area using witch hazel. So let's say you pop a pimple there. While popping your zits isn't recommended, there are a few ways to make the operation less high-risk. Is the triangle of death real a pimple gets infected there will I die? Sure, as long as you don't get an infucktion. Before joining WebMD, Pathak worked as a primary care physician at the Department of Veterans Affairs and was an assistant professor of medicine at Emory University in Atlanta. Learn about her 3 point plan to help keep it regulated. It's called the triangle of death because hypothetically popping a pimple could cause an infection that would easily reach the bloodstream. All rights reserved. Get answers from Adolescent Medicine Specialists and top U.S. doctors, Our doctors evaluate, diagnose, prescribe, order lab tests, and recommend follow-up care. If that happens, the veins that run behind your eye sockets may . This will reduce inflammation and banish your zit in a couple days. 2023byTango Publishing Corporation All Rights Reserved. Your lips aren't included in that area. Bacteria in this area have a smaller distance to travel to do bigger damage to the body vs. a break in the skin in the leg, Free said. Your fingers are now outlining the danger zone the triangle of death.. Search . Since it was on my face, there was a huge risk of it spreading to my brain or my eyes, causing me to go blind., Wrights infection, which was likely caused by a dirty makeup brush, was in an area of the face known as the triangle of death.. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. These bacteria can quickly enter your body and cause an infection, and because of the proximity to critical portions of your brain, the infection can lead to serious complications quickly. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Avoid picking the nose, plucking nose hairs, popping pimples, and use a sterile technique if you have your nose pierced, Strachan said. ThinkConservatively 3 yr. ago. First, popping a pimple can push debris deeper into the skin, which may lead to: Inflammation, which can cause redness and swelling that is worse than the pimple itself Pain More pimples Second, squeezing pores can also lead to pits that bleed and become scabs. Read More. Never pop a zit in the "triangle of death," dermatologists say, no matter how tempting it is. Dont pluck nose or ear hairs. It sounds very dramatic, I know. You can pop all the pimples you want on your forehead, or attack the acne on your chin with ruthless abandon, but leave the deadly triangle alone. There are other, more common types of infections in this area that you should take steps to avoid. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Should I be worried? ", Popping your pimples anywhere on your face is not recommended. A majority of people just can't resist popping a juicy pimple that's ready to go, even if it is in the so-called danger triangle. Use a blue LED device to kill bacteria and promote healing, or go the old school route and place ice on top to reduce inflammation. Make sure to wash your hands and use cleanser on your skin. Learn more about what its made of and how to get rid of it. From there, she recommends using a hydrocolloid acne patch that contains salicylic acid. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency. The veins can then form clots to contain infections, which puts pressure on the brain, leading to partial or full paralysis and, in some cases death. They're a bit expensive but I get starface patches. Anytime you reach for a big zit on your nose, remember the words "potential brain infection.". (The former is a condition resulting in itchiness, a rash, or blisters, the latter is commonly referred to as eczema.) This is because these types of infections are treatable with antibiotics and would have to continue for quite a while before making their way to your brain. Am I going to get an infection now?? Do not try to squeeze or pop any pimples on your face. You Should Never Pop a Pimple In the "Triangle of Death" On Your Face, This Coffee Shop Provides Free Therapy for Men, Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Spot Gel, 5 reasons you still get zits as a grown-ass man, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. I went to the emergency room and they said it was a very serious case of cellulitis, which is a version of a staph infection, but instead of having a head like staph, it effects the deep cellular tissues with no main source to attack, she wrote in a social media post. Most, Many people have experienced an occasional skin rash or unexplained mark. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Some conditions that cause skin rashes are very contagious. You've been told over and over and over again to avoid popping your pimples, no matter how tempting they might look. In the age of Dr. Pimple Popper, the previously repulsive act of pimple-popping has become an almost euphoric experience. a washcloth dampened with warm water to your skin and hold it there for about two minutes. Popping a pimple in this area can lead to major infections because of its location. The guilty pleasure of popping is all too real for many people. Warnings on social media claim you should never, ever pop pimples within the area for risk of causing death (yes, really). as well as other partner offers and accept our. Outside of the ominous danger triangle, popping a pimple can still be a bummer, but not a killer. It was a type of infection that could have been deadly had she not received treatment quickly. I popped a pimple of the edge of the triangle of death, it's a little red but when I popped it blood came out. Inflammation of the brain from bacterial infections can result in stroke, hearing loss, or permanent brain damage. Moisturize your skin regularly to prevent cracking or peeling. Ple. First, if it hasn't been made abundantly clear, just stay away from pimples in the triangle of death region. A cellulitis or staph infection is treated with antibiotics, but it has to be caught early because of the risk of serious problems. Popping a pimple in this area can lead to major infections because of its location.. But health experts have warned picking or popping pimples in this area could have potentially fatal consequences. Sometimes, flattening a juicy pimple on your chin is all too rewarding. Directly beneath the nose and mouth are four major cranial nerves that control functions in and around the face. Maggie ONeill is a health writer and reporter based in New York who specializes in covering medical research and emerging wellness trends, with a focus on cancer and addiction. Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Spot Gel. Still, since it can happen, he advises caution with pimples in this area. But that may be easier said than done. And if all else fails, see a dermatologist for help. Touch the tips of your thumbs together and the tips of your pointer fingers together, and then place your pointer fingers above your nose and your thumbs just below your upper lip. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Press J to jump to the feed. It refers to the area of the face that "includes an isosceles [triangle] from the top of the nose between the eyebrows as its pinnacle, and ends at the corners of the mouth around the upper lip as its base," she says. Stay up to date with what you want to know. Its best to get your acne treated., Learn about the differences between MRSA and acne. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Contact your doctor for signs of infection like redness, pain, and drainage. She sought medical treatment and learned that what she believed was a bothersome pimple on her face was in fact a severe infection. If you have a pimple, avoid touching your face, try over-the-counter (OTC) treatments, or consult a dermatologist if your acne isn't clearing up, according to the AAD. You can treat your acne with over-the-counter medicine or consult a dermatologist if your at-home treatments aren't improving after four to six weeks. Just make sure everything is clean. By Rebecca Jane Stokes Written on Jan 09, 2023. The 19-year-old, known by her surname Yang, felt a persistent pain . That means keeping the area clean, putting antibacterial cream on it, and not overpicking. Hello, occasionally have small hard pimples below, popping hurts, they are hard pearl type which bleeds alot after finally coming out?