2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. What is the triangle of death? - Surgical Recovery London William Truswell, MD, FACS, operates his own cosmetic and reconstructive facial surgery practice. By Rebecca Jane Stokes Written on Jan 09, 2023. For me, it's always been around my nose and my upper lip. However, if you can resist popping, Dr. Shamban recommends to first place ice over a zit you notice. When accidentally stuck by a needle, its important to report it and follow up with your doctor for testing afterward. 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. Yes and no. If you notice them, see your doctor, stat. Am I going to get an infection now?? 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. You Should Never Pop a Pimple In the "Triangle of Death" On Your Face Popping a pimple, picking at a scab, plucking out nose hair .. all of these things can break the skin and lead to infections like furuncles (boils, which are infections of the hair follicles) and cellulitis (when the layers of the skin are infected.) First, if it hasn't been made abundantly clear, just stay away from pimples in the triangle of death region. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. This condition can lead to blood clots, which increase the chances of stroke and death. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. When it comes to acne, we all have certain spots where we are more likely to get a pimple. Outside of the ominous danger triangle, popping a pimple can still be a bummer, but not a killer. If a pimple is popped in the triangle and "if there is a particularly virulent or highly resistant and aggressive bacterial infection introduced from the popping into the bloodstream, it can travel to the other parts of the body, including the brain," says Dr. Shamban. You've been told over and over and over again to avoid popping your pimples, no matter how tempting they might look. Thats because infections in this region, which includes the upper lip and nose, can quickly become severe, even deadly. So let's say you pop a pimple there. Thanks for your response! RELATED: What It Means If You Have Acne Around Your Mouth. This type of infection can also be prevented with better hygiene practices. I popped multiple pimples in the "triangle of death" will I be ok? A cellulitis or staph infection is treated with antibiotics, but it has to be caught early because of the risk of serious problems. The 19-year-old, known by her surname Yang, felt a persistent pain . 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. Here's why you should never pop a pimple in 'Triangle of Death' - MEAWW Pimple patches seem cool, Ive heard of them before but never bought any. While popping your zits isn't recommended, there are a few ways to make the operation less high-risk. Here's what you need to know about the "triangle of death," why you should avoid popping pimples in it, and how (if at all) you can pop pimples on your face safely, according to dermatologists. Dr. Sandra Lee aka Dr. Pimple Popper adds that if inflammation from a pimple spreads to the inner part of the brain, theres potential for blindness and a massive stroke. Popping Pimples On Your Face's Danger Triangle Can Kill You Popping a pimple in the 'triangle of death' could kill you Vision loss can also occur. 4 Things Most Guys Get Wrong About Skin Cancer: If there were a serious skin infection in this area that went untreated, and then subsequently tracked back to the brain, it could theoretically prove fatal, says Dr. Brauer. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. 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. A teenage girl in China has suffered a severe infection inside her brain after she popped a pimple on her nose with her hands.. Could it make me sick? There are other, more common types of infections in this area that you should take steps to avoid. I thought once I kissed my teenage years goodbye that I'd be kissing acne goodbye, too. Do not consider WebMD Blogs as medical advice. 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. That's the message from Dr. Mehmet Oz, who said you better think twice before pulling out that nose hair or popping that pimple in the "triangle of death"an area on the face around the . Dr. Sandra Lee - aka Dr. Pimple Popper - adds that if inflammation from a pimple spreads to the inner part of the brain, there's potential for blindness and a massive stroke. Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. Even so, we think well be keeping away from the triangle of death from now on. Popping a pimple above these sinuses can create a chain reaction of infection that leads to the brain, Hartman said. This is because if you pop a pimple here, it can actually lead to an infection in your brain. Now bring this triangle to your face so that the tip of the triangle is above the bridge of your nose and the bottom is resting below your upper lip. But this is especially true for the area on your face known as the "triangle of death.". Yes and no. 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. Addressing acne in this area of the face should be handled with care. But that may be easier said than done. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. It's called that because it's the area that is closest and leads to your sinuses. Whats the Difference Between MRSA and a Pimple? That can create an open wound, and if. This sound stupid but I have pretty bad anxiety and this is torturing me right now do you think Ill be ok? and it only seemed to be getting worse. People Are Putting Adhesive Bandages on Acne To Get Rid of ZitsBut Does It Work? Still, since it can happen, he advises caution with pimples in this area. If you pop a pimple in the "triangle of death," you risk an infection that could travel to your brain and bloodstream. Then, apply a warm compress e.g. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Wash makeup brushes regularly, and avoid hands touching the face. What Are Plantar WartsAnd How Do You Treat Them? If you pop a pimple in the "triangle of death," you risk an infection that could travel to your brain and bloodstream. Because the central triangle of your face, which includes your nose and the upper lip, has another nickname in the medical community: the danger triangle. And if popped prematurely or improperly, a pimple "can stick around for weeks since the bacteria contained inside can be pushed deeper into the pore or spread onto the skin surface, as well as a lead to aggravation and scarring," she says. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. Then, Dr. Shamban recommends using a tea tree oil or a bentonite clay product to draw out and absorb excess sebum and oils. Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere. Our website services, content and products are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. I popped a pimple on the triangle of death my sister told me that I could get a brain infection is that even possible? Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Popping them can cause scarring and make the bump worse, you were warned. The phrase "triangle of death" might sound slightly extreme when talking aboutpimple popping. It's not a pimple. Soak a washcloth in hot (not scalding) water, and apply it to the area for 10 to 15 minutes.This helps draw the pus to the surface and can speed up the healing process. Your better option: holding a hot washcloth to the spot for one minute, then applying a 10 percent benzoyl peroxide cream, as we reported. That said, there are "other lesser complications" that are more common, which can happen when you pop pimples anywhere on your face, says Dr. Shamban. It's ridiculously tempting to pop your pimples during an outbreak of acne. Popping a pimple in the 'triangle of death' could lead to serious 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. 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. Popping Pimples On This Part Of Your Face Can Kill You, Photo: A's Images & Getty Images via Canva, What It Might Mean If You Have Bumps On Your Face, 10 Really Weird Reasons You Have Bad Acne, How To Prevent (And Treat!) Blogs are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Please consult your doctor before taking any action. Thanks for contacting us. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency. When you pop a pimple in this area, the skin might become infected. this morning i woke up at around 5:30 because i have a pimple just underneath my lips towards the right side. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Wash and replace makeup products regularly. It's called that because it's the area that is closest and leads to your sinuses. Get answers from Adolescent Medicine Specialists and top U.S. doctors, Our doctors evaluate, diagnose, prescribe, order lab tests, and recommend follow-up care. Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. Your mouth and nose are teeming with bacteria, but your body is designed to protect against them. So if it gets infected it could lead to damage there from infection. Basically, no worries! Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Smoking Pot Every Day Linked to Heart Risks, Artificial Sweetener Linked to Heart Risks, FDA Authorizes First At-Home Test for COVID and Flu, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox. But what makes squeezing zits in the triangle of danger so much riskier has to do with its location. According to the AAD, it isn't recommended that you pop your own pimples. Man nearly dies after popping 'pimple' in 'danger triangle' The best way to see the triangle is to form one with your fingersconnecting the tips of your thumbs and then the tips of your pointer fingers. You're definitely going to die. Yes, that means popping a pimple could actually kill you. And that hypothetical infection is why your danger triangle could be deadly. Statistically, there is a chance that you will develop an infection and die. In "Triangle of Death" what should I do. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider 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. [skin concern] i tried popping a pimple in the "triangle of death" To learn more, please visit our. But I sincerely doubt it, As for the triangle of death, I thought that was the Bermuda triangle. This Woman's Pimple-Popping Leads to Staph Infection, Then Goes Viral Is the triangle of death real a pimple gets infected there will I die? Popping a pimple in the "death triangle" is dangerous is because it's near blood vessels with a direct link to areas of the skull where infections can spread rapidly and become serious, says Dr. Shamban. For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service. If that happens, the veins that run behind your eye sockets may . Squeezing a pimple can create an open wound, which can become infected by dirt from our hands and airborne bacteria. The triangle of death is the area of your face including your upper lip, nose, and between your eyebrows. 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.) Pathology 51 years experience. as well as other partner offers and accept our. "The area of the face connecting the nose to the corners of the mouth is thought to be a particularly dangerous area of the face because of their close connection to the brain," Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a dermatologist at Mount Sinai in New York, told Health. The danger triangle: How squeezing spots can kill you (if you're very If you break that barrier, thats when things can turn deadly. Symptoms involve inflammation and may affect multiple. The area includes the bridge of the nose and corners of the mouth. HealthTap uses cookies to enhance your site experience and for analytics and advertising purposes. So what makes popping a pimple so much more dangerous here than, say, bursting one smack in the middle of your forehead? Another reason to keep your hands off that particular region is that it's more likely to scar, according to Dr. Vij. If shit starts to hurt, swell, turn red and feel hot to touch go see a dr. Learn how you can get an infection from mouse poop, and how to protect yourself if you come in contact with them. Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. Additionally, Dr. Vij noted that you should ensure the spaces underneath your fingernails are clean since bacteria are good at hiding there. Popped pimple in triangle of death' : r/NoStupidQuestions Elizabeth Millard is a freelance writer focusing on health, wellness, fitness, and food. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Scared people buy more and think less rationally. In other words, this operation needs your full attention. We may earn a commission through links on our site. The best-case scenario is that its a benign cyst that is easily drained. 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. (. Popping a pimple in this area can lead to septic cavernous sinus thrombosis. Circumstances would be extreme and truly a perfect storm," she says. Its been a tough few weeks. 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. According to The Daily Mail, the triangle of death also known as the danger triangle stretches from the top of the nose to a point on either side of the lips, roughly where dimples usually appear. Here's What a Doctor Says, How to Use Microlet Lancets to Properly Pop a Zit, According to Dermatologists. Learn about her 3 point plan to help keep it regulated. 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But it turns out that I'm actually lucky to have made it out of these pimple-popping sessions alive. 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. Learn how we can help. It's been 4 months. The guilty pleasure of popping is all too real for many people. While a deadly infection is within the realm of possibility, the effects of popping a zit in this area are usually not serious, she says. (. Popping a pimple within . If we pop a pimple with our dirty hands, it causes infections after which the veins form clots puts pressure on the brain, causing partial or full paralysis. It's bad to pop your pimples as it can lead to various skin infections. However it's quite rare, if you are worried about infection take some basic sanitation/antiseptic procedures before hand. Never pop a zit in the "triangle of death," dermatologists say, no matter how tempting it is. That advice goes foryour entire face, of course. So, skin infections in this area have the potential to spread and cause dangerous complications in reality, though, serious brain infections are incredibly rare. Avoid picking the nose, plucking nose hairs, popping pimples, and use a sterile technique if you have your nose pierced, Strachan said. However, infections are rare. Dr. Pimple Popper Explains the Face's 'Triangle of Death - YouTube Then, tone the area using witch hazel. Popping pimples is never a good idea, and it's even worse for if they're located in the so-called 'triangle of death'. (For more health news delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our Daily Dose newsletter.). And while dermatologists and other skin pros typically advise against pimple popping altogether, the internet is home to plenty of pimple popping dos and don'ts for those who can't be stopped. While these symptoms certainly arent pleasant, theyre definitely noticeable, so youd probably seek treatment before anything serious occurred. Video chat with a U.S. board-certified doctor 24/7 in a minute. 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. Still, it's there: "The area of the face connecting the nose to the corners of the mouth is thought to be a particularly dangerous area of the face because of their close connection to the brain," saidJoshua Zeichner, MD, an associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. But if the zit is particularly bothersome, your dermatologist can inject the area with an intralesional steroid, says Alan Parks, M.D., dermatologist and founder of skincare site DermWarehouse. On your face, the tip of your triangle is on the bridge of your nose, and the base of your triangle starts at either corner of your mouth and extends across the bottom of your upper lip. But health experts have warned picking or popping pimples in this area could have potentially fatal consequences. Just try not to make a habit of it and if you're going to pop pimples, do it with clean hands and alcohol wipes. When you get a zit slap bang in the middle of your face, your reaction is usually to squeeze it immediately. It has access to our control center.. Within an hour, her face was swollen and painful. (Note: You should only have to apply gentle pressure. Oh jesus you popped a pimple on your nose or top lip? Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Everything you need to know about triangle of death on face | Be Instead, seek professional advice. i woke up specifically because it hurt so much that if i touched any of the areas near it on my face, like my chin, it would feel I have painless lumps between eyebrow, like a triangle shape and it's not going away. Youve likely been told since the first zit cropped up on your chin that you need to leave pimples alone. New warnings are issued after a woman developed cellulitis after popping what she thought was a pimple on a sensitive part of her face. Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Spot Gel. Because the blood vessels in this area drain to the back of your head, if you innocently pop a pimple in the danger triangle and it becomes infected, this can lead to loss of vision, meningitis, a brain abscess, or even death. Photo: Flickr user SpooSpa, Face_of_SpooSpa.jpg, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikipedia. The veins in your danger triangle ultimately lead back to your cavernous sinus, located in your brain, he says. At-home pimple popping is generally frowned upon by dermatologists, as it can lead to scarring and more acne. My mom was hospitalized three times because her blood pressure was dangerously high. Unpublished. Neha Pathak, MD, is a board-certified internal medicine doctor and part of WebMD's team of medical editors responsible for ensuring the accuracy of health information on the site. But before you start worrying too much, Brauer explained to Mens Health that the chances of death are exceedingly low.. For these, please consult a doctor (virtually or in person). But if your immune system is reasonably normal, that chance is infinitessimal.