Video chat with a U.S. board-certified doctor 24/7 in a minute. However it's quite rare, if you are worried about infection take some basic sanitation/antiseptic procedures before hand. In some ways, an outbreak of acne pimples and an outbreak of MRSA pimples are very similar. There are also important structures around the eyes, nose, and mouth. You can find this zone on your own just by making a triangle with your two thumbs and pointer fingers. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. So if it gets infected it could lead to damage there from infection. "If you are going to pop your pimples, do not do it right before bed when you are tired. It's been 4 months. Instead, "apply even, downward pressure around the pimples," said Dr. Zeichner. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Hartman said the deeper the pimple and more infected it is, the more likely it is to lead to severe infection or death, though death is still rare. Breaking the skin's surface anywhere (on your face or body) poses a risk of bacteria entering the bloodstream, which is the main concern with the "danger triangle," she notes. The triangle of death, also called the danger triangle, is a specific area on your face where many medical professionals warn against popping pimples. The triangle of death is the area of skin that starts at the middle of your eyebrows, includes your nose, and ends at your top lip. Sounds crazy, but that location actually existsand it can be just as dangerous as it sounds. Before popping, thoroughlywash your hands, as Dr. Vij recommended. And if all else fails, see a dermatologist for help. It's not a pimple. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. "In the event that you pick a pimple, and an infection develops, the worst-case scenario is that the infection spreads from the skin through this sinus [and] has the potential to infect the brain and even spread through the bloodstream to the entire body," said Dr. Zeichner. Boils on your inner thigh can be painful. Even if you're past your teenage years, pimples can still pop up on your skin. My mom was hospitalized three times because her blood pressure was dangerously high. Statistically, there is a chance that you will develop an infection and die. Popping a pimple in this area can lead to septic cavernous sinus thrombosis. While these symptoms certainly arent pleasant, theyre definitely noticeable, so youd probably seek treatment before anything serious occurred. Thanks for your response! That can create an open wound, and if bacteria get in theresay, you touch your face without washing dirty handsyou can develop an infection. Is It Really Dangerous to Pop a Pimple In the 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. They're a bit expensive but I get starface patches. One option? Popping pimples can cause scarring, hyperpigmentation or dark marks, and infection, Strachan said. 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. The condition,. (. In other words, the infection in a pimple on your nose has a somewhat clear path to your brain. "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. 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. This area is connected via blood vessels to areas of the skull where infections can spread very rapidly and become more serious.. She sought medical treatment and learned that what she believed was a bothersome pimple on her face was in fact a severe infection. Think of it like a sterile surgical procedure," said Dr. Zeichner. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. (Note: You should only have to apply gentle pressure. If the pimple persists, resist the urge to squeeze it. In "Triangle of Death" what should I do. We may earn a commission through links on our site. The Triangle of Death, also known as the Danger Triangle, stretches from the tip of the nose to a point on either side of the lips, roughly where dimples usually appear. 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. 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. So lets say you pop a pimple there. This area has your sinuses right behind it, as well as important nerves and blood vessels that are responsible for the blood flowing to the brain. 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 . Search . You can identify it by creating a triangle with your hands and touching the tip formed by your index fingers to the middle of your eyebrows and the bottom corners to the corners of your mouth, according to dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman. Warnings on social media claim you should never, ever pop pimples within the area for risk of causing death (yes, really). Youve likely been told since the first zit cropped up on your chin that you need to leave pimples alone. Still, you definitely shouldn't take the threat lightly. While infections of this area are rare due to antibiotics the triangle of death is a particular area of the face that if the skin is broken and the inside of our body is exposed to bacteria, it can invade and have access to the bodys control center, Heather Free, PharmD, a spokesperson for the American Pharmacist Association, told Healthline. Elizabeth Millard is a freelance writer focusing on health, wellness, fitness, and food. When it comes to acne, we all have certain spots where we are more likely to get a pimple. New warnings are issued after a woman developed cellulitis after popping what she thought was a pimple on a sensitive part of her face. Dr. Shamban recommends any patches from Zitsticka (Buy It, $29, amazon.com) or Starface (Buy It, $15, target.com). Instead, seek professional advice. The eventuality you are worrying about is rare. Therefore, picking at or scratching pimples on that area isn't wise since it can allow bacteria to enter and cause infection, according to theAmerican Academy of Dermatology (AAD). .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. Hello, occasionally have small hard pimples below, popping hurts, they are hard pearl type which bleeds alot after finally coming out? The veins in your danger triangle ultimately lead back to your cavernous sinus, located in your brain, he says. For these, please consult a doctor (virtually or in person). This is the zone known as the triangle of death, or the danger triangle of the face. 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. As published by the magazine, the veins in the "danger triangle" ultimately lead back to the cavernous sinus, located in our brain. From there, she recommends using a hydrocolloid acne patch that contains salicylic acid. 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. You've been told over and over and over again to avoid popping your pimples, no matter how tempting they might look. The scary name comes from the fact that the blood vessels in this part of the face have a direct link to blood vessels close to the brain. I popped a pimple on the triangle of death my sister told me that I could get a brain infection is that even possible? When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. The reason for heightened concern here is the blood supply in this particular facial region, according to Jeremy Brauer, M.D., clinical assistant professor in the department of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center. 3. As reported by Daily Mail, popping a pimple in the danger zone is a cause for alarm due to the blood supply in this region of the face. Ple. Can popping pimples lead to flesh- eating disease? LOGIN Subscribe for $1. Trim instead. The veins in your "danger triangle" ultimately lead back to your cavernous sinus, located in your brain, he says. Popping a pimple in this area can lead to major infections because of its location.. Does popping pimples make your condition worse? The area underneath the triangle contains major sinuses that connect to the brain. It's called that because it's the area that is closest and leads to your sinuses. (. All rights reserved. This story has been shared 174,941 times. 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. Here are some tips for preventing and treating skin wounds, both in the triangle of death and anywhere else on your body as well. Dr. Brauer says the danger of popping in other areaslike the cheeks, chin, or foreheadcould still be infection, but that would lead toward scarring and pigmentation changes, not flirting with death.