This is because if you pop a pimple here, it can actually lead to an infection in your brain. 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. Stay up to date with what you want to know. Thats why its important to seek out medical attention if you notice a deep bump or cyst under the skin in this area of the face. Dont pluck nose or ear hairs. Vision loss can also occur. But the chances of it really happening are exceedingly low, he says. 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. Prior to her time at Health, her work appeared in the Observer, Good Housekeeping, CNN, and Vice. The triangle of death, also called the danger triangle, is a specific area on your face where many medical professionals warn against popping pimples. For some, acne appears when they hold their phone closest to their face. Popping a pimple within . However, if you can resist popping, Dr. Shamban recommends to first place ice over a zit you notice. It has access to our control center.. Learn about her 3 point plan to help keep it regulated. But you really shouldnt pop a pimple in the triangle of death on your face. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Mom reveals her vagina is better than ever after childbirth, Men have better sex with emotionally unstable women, First-time mom gives birth in nine minutes flat, Ex-anorexic qualifies for Bodybuilding World Championships, Science figures out that the snooze button actually ruins your day. Chances are you've popped a pimple at some point but according to dermatologists you should resist the urge - not because it's unhygienic or will leave unsightly scarring, but because it could . A condition called cavernous sinus thrombosis can develop in the sinus cavity as a result of the infection. All rights reserved. i had already tried benzoyl peroxide, tea tree oil, toothpaste, etc. Some conditions that cause skin rashes are very contagious. LOGIN Subscribe for $1. I would like to add that it's called the triangle of death to make people afraid. Here's why you should never pop a pimple in 'Triangle of Death' - MEAWW Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency. Answered May 15, 2022. Wash and replace makeup products regularly. (One minute of icing should do the trick.) Basically, no worries! 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.. 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. 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. 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. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. But it turns out that I'm actually lucky to have made it out of these pimple-popping sessions alive. If you notice them, see your doctor, stat. You Should Never Pop a Pimple In the "Triangle of Death" On Your Face If you have a pimple, do NOT pop it, no matter how many zit-popping videos you watch! Ple. This condition can lead to blood clots, which increase the chances of stroke and death. From there, she recommends using a hydrocolloid acne patch that contains salicylic acid. Additionally, Dr. Vij noted that you should ensure the spaces underneath your fingernails are clean since bacteria are good at hiding there. 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. Chinese Man Almost Dies After Popping a Pimple Causes His - News18 Then, tone the area using witch hazel. Add another one to the list: the triangle of death, also known as the danger triangle. This particular triangle can be found on your face. But what makes squeezing zits in the triangle of danger so much riskier has to do with its location. The skin around your face, and especially in the triangle of death, is a first line of defense against invading bacteria. Danger triangle of the face pimple | HealthTap Online Doctor Dr. Shamban recommends any patches from Zitsticka (Buy It, $29, amazon.com) or Starface (Buy It, $15, target.com). Touch the tips of your thumbs together, then bring your pointer fingers together, forming a triangle. But now I thought about and Im kinda worried. One such don't pertains to a particularly ominously-named region of your face: the "danger triangle.". In her spare time, she likes meditating, watching TikToks, and playing fetch with her dog, Finnegan. If you get a pimple in or around the Triangle of Death, don't freak out. Moisturize your skin regularly to prevent cracking or peeling. The triangle of death is a colloquial term for an area of the face that includes the region of the nose and corners of the mouth, Dr. Amesh A. Adalja, a board certified infectious disease physician at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security in Pennsylvania, told Healthline. In the third episode of Dr. Sandra Lee's new TLC series "Dr. Pimple Popper," Lee treats a patient named Anthony.Anthony has a cyst located in the facial area sometimes called the "triangle of death."; Skin infections in this part of the face may spread quickly and lead to blindness or even death. (Popping a pimple in other places like your cheeks, chin, or forehead could still lead to an infection, but the effects of that would likely only be .css-16acfp5{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.125rem;text-decoration-color:#d2232e;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-16acfp5:hover{color:#000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;background-color:yellow;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}scarring or pigmentation changes, since the those areas lack the direct blood supply route to your brain.). Yes and no. And if all else fails, see a dermatologist for help. Like most skin infections, if a person sees a swollen patch of skin that has pus, it is likely a person has an infection, Mohamed A. Jalloh, PharmD, an assistant professor of clinical sciences at Touro University California College of Pharmacy, told Healthline. Learn how you can get an infection from mouse poop, and how to protect yourself if you come in contact with them. She was a fellow of the Association of Health Care Journalists 2020 class on Womens Health Journalism and 2021 class on Cancer Reporting. 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. What Are Plantar WartsAnd How Do You Treat Them? Warnings on social media claim you should never, ever pop pimples within the area for risk of causing death (yes, really). It takes a bit of imagination to identify the "triangle of death" on your face. "If you are going to pop your pimples, do not do it right before bed when you are tired. You should do this with one of two instruments: A cotton swab or the soft part of your fingertip. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. A teenage girl in China has suffered a severe infection inside her brain after she popped a pimple on her nose with her hands.. Better yet, Dr. Zeichner recommended cutting your nails before you decide to take down a zit. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. This is the zone known as the triangle of death, or the danger triangle of the face. Razor Burn In 9 Easy Steps, What It Means If You Have Acne Around Your Mouth, The 3 Things People Immediately Judge You On When You First Meet Them, 5 Immediate Signs Of A Toxic, Passive-Aggressive Person, 10 Little Habits That Make You IRRESISTIBLY Attractive. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Dr. Shamban's overall advice is to refrain from popping pimples, whether they're inside or outside the danger triangle. Sign up for notifications from Insider! There are other, more common types of infections in this area that you should take steps to avoid. Sounds crazy, but that location actually existsand it can be just as dangerous as it sounds. Touch the tips of your thumbs together, then bring your pointer fingers together, forming a triangle. Popping a pimple in the 'triangle of death' could lead to serious The face's 'triangle of death' consists of the area from the nose bridge to the upper lip which is full of blood vessels and nerves that are directly connected to the brain. Even if it doesnt cause a serious problem it can leave scars and discoloration. If you pop a pimple in the "triangle of death," you risk an infection that could travel to your brain and bloodstream. First, apply a warm washcloth to open up the pores. You've been told over and over and over again to avoid popping your pimples, no matter how tempting they might look. When they do, it can be tempting to squeeze the suckers once they've turned white in hopes of getting rid of them faster. Depending on which of these nerves is infected, you can develop paralysis in several parts of your face, including the eyes lids and mouth, and motor functions can be impaired, too. "Extra" caught up with Dr. Sandra Lee, better known as Dr. Pimple Popper, to learn about the area of the face called the "triangle of death," and why popping. The guilty pleasure of popping is all too real for many people. You're definitely going to die. The teen popped a pimple on the part of her face called the "Triangle of Death". Now, a new tale just might make you think twice before putting a bump in the crosshairs of your tweezers or fingernails. For example, if a patient would have an infection in the nerves or brain, a patient may say they feel confused or have a stiff neck or feel unusual tingly or sharp pains on the body.. Avoid picking the nose, plucking nose hairs, popping pimples, and use a sterile technique if you have your nose pierced, Strachan said. Dr. Pimple Popper Explains the Face's 'Triangle of Death - YouTube Don't Pop Pimples In The 'Triangle Of Death' On Your Face By Rebecca Jane Stokes Written on Jan 09, 2023. You could also die of a lightening strike. Popping a pimple in this area can lead to major infections because of its location.. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Yes, that means popping a pimple could actually kill you. Newsweek. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It was really close to my mouth so there is s chance that a bit of it went on my lip or inside my mouth. Our website services, content and products are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Last month, Katie Wright began picking at what she thought was a pimple under the skin of her eyebrow. While these symptoms certainly arent pleasant, theyre definitely noticeable, so youd probably seek treatment before anything serious occurred. That'll reduce inflammation and any itchiness so you'll resist the urge to pick your face. (Here are 5 reasons you still get zits as a grown-ass man.). Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Try: The Body Shop Tea Tree Targeted Gel (Buy It, $10, amazon.com) or Innbeauty Project Pimple Paste Overnight Blemish Drying Paste (Buy It, $15, sephora.com). Is This Rash Contagious? For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service. 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. 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. Just make sure everything is clean. Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. But I sincerely doubt it, As for the triangle of death, I thought that was the Bermuda triangle. Okay, just gonna be very honest with you. So, skin infections in this area have the potential to spread and cause dangerous complications in reality, though, serious brain infections are incredibly rare. 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. Teen Gets Brain Infection After Popping a Pimple on This - Newsweek Popping a pimple in the 'triangle of death' could kill you 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. Hello, occasionally have small hard pimples below, popping hurts, they are hard pearl type which bleeds alot after finally coming out? Important: The opinions expressed in WebMD Blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. The area underneath the triangle contains major sinuses that connect to the brain. The triangle of death, also called the danger triangle, is a specific area on your face where many medical professionals warn against popping pimples. 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.) .css-13y9o4w{display:block;font-family:GraphikBold,GraphikBold-fallback,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-13y9o4w:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-13y9o4w{font-size:1.05rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.25rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-13y9o4w{font-size:1.28598rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-13y9o4w{font-size:1.39461rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.5rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-13y9o4w{font-size:1.23488rem;line-height:1.3;}}This Coffee Shop Provides Free Therapy for Men, How To Stop Poop From Burning After Spicy Food, What to Do When You Hit Your Head Really Hard, 4 Things Every Man Should Know About Testosterone, The Truth About Testosterone and Your Libido, 20 Minutes of Exercise Lowers Hospitalization Risk. Long ago, this condition was a death sentence, but now we have medicine to help treat it. Is this bad? Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. And since infections there would usually come with pretty noticeable symptoms like redness, swelling, tenderness, drainage, and bleedingor if the pimple keeps coming back and filling with pusthey probably arent something you would just let go. NOW WATCH: How to pop a pimple yourself, according to Dr. Pimple Popper's tips. This will flatten the appearance of the zit making it seem less "popable." When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. ; It sounds terrifying, but doctors say these serious complications are really rare thanks to . You shouldnt pop a pimple on your face. The Best Derma Rollers, According to Reviews, How to Get Rid of Annoying, but Common, Body Problems, 5 Must-Know Winter Skincare Tips, According to Dermatologists, Acne Face Mapping: How to Determine the Cause of Your Breakouts, The 9 Best Body Sunscreens Dermatologists Recommend for Year-Round Protection, Skin Tags Vs. MolesHow to Tell the Difference, Strawberry Legs: What They Are and How To Treat Them, How To Treat a Stye and Stop One From Ever Happening. I popped a pimple on the triangle of death my sister told me that I could get a brain infection is that even possible? So, how do we stay sane and grounded at this time? The triangle of death is the area of your face including your upper lip, nose, and between your eyebrows. Thanks for your recommendation! Any time you're "picking, plucking and pummeling the skin," enough to result in redness or scabbing, you can develop inflammation or trigger contact or atopic dermatitis, says Dr. Shamban. I thought once I kissed my teenage years goodbye that I'd be kissing acne goodbye, too. William Truswell, MD, FACS, operates his own cosmetic and reconstructive facial surgery practice. In other words, the infection in a pimple on your nose has a somewhat clear path to your brain. HealthTap uses cookies to enhance your site experience and for analytics and advertising purposes. There are plenty of cute shapes or colors to make it look like you have some kind of fun sticker on your face. The Risks of Popping Your Pimples - GoodRx