Is It Really Dangerous to Pop a Pimple In the Danger Triangle? Popping a pimple in this area can lead to major infections because of its location.. Touch the tips of your thumbs together, then bring your pointer fingers together, forming a triangle. 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. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. That advice goes foryour entire face, of course. You've been told over and over and over again to avoid popping your pimples, no matter how tempting they might look. If you pop a pimple in the "triangle of death," you risk an infection that could travel to your brain and bloodstream. Of the utmost importance is realizing when to stop. 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.) Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. 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. "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. That's right popping a pimple in this area could literally kill you. New warnings are issued after a woman developed cellulitis after popping what she thought was a pimple on a sensitive part of her face. U.S. World; People Are Putting Adhesive Bandages on Acne To Get Rid of ZitsBut Does It Work? "Theoretically, it can lead to meningitis and other infections of the central nervous system since there is proximity to the brain," Hartman said. 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. When accidentally stuck by a needle, its important to report it and follow up with your doctor for testing afterward. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. 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. "That is the signal that the the pus inside is close enough to the skin's surface and ready to be removed or expressed.". Popping a pimple within . You cant see it, but its there. 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. Yes and no. 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. When you get a zit slap bang in the middle of your face, your reaction is usually to squeeze it immediately. The veins in your danger triangle ultimately lead back to your cavernous sinus, located in your brain, he says. Overnight drying creams are also a great option, along with just plain old steam (from a steam facial machine or just in the shower) to help pores open without putting dangerous force on your face. The triangle of death, also called the danger triangle, is a specific area on your face where many medical professionals warn against popping pimples. Hey so I had a white head on my upper lip for a few months, and it wasnt going away so I kind of squeezed it out. When you pop a pimple in this area, the skin might become infected. Most, Many people have experienced an occasional skin rash or unexplained mark. You should do this with one of two instruments: A cotton swab or the soft part of your fingertip. First of All, What Is the Danger Triangle? 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. Even if it doesnt cause a serious problem it can leave scars and discoloration. No but seriously you'll be fine. There are other, more common types of infections in this area that you should take steps to avoid. (. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Popping a pimple in this area can lead to septic cavernous sinus thrombosis. It sounds very dramatic, I know. Then, you shouldn't pick the top of the zit off with your nails. 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. 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. (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.). 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. 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. Thanks for your recommendation! By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Still, since it can happen, he advises caution with pimples in this area. 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. Hartman recommends using preventative measure, like a skincare routine that includes acne-fighting ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, hydroxy acids, and retinoids. If you do, you may push the contents of the pimple deeper into the skin, which canresult in permanent scaring, more painful and noticeable acne, or infection. Stay up to date with what you want to know. I have painless lumps between eyebrow, like a triangle shape and it's not going away. 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. Thanks for contacting us. Dr. Truswell was the first in his area in Western Massachusetts to have an accredited private office surgical suite. The area underneath the triangle contains major sinuses that connect to the brain. This type of infection can also be prevented with better hygiene practices. Jeremy Brauer, clinical professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center, explains that the veins here lead back to the cavernous sinus located in the brain. While it's gotten better over the years, I'm still prone to the odd zit (or seven). Photo: Flickr user SpooSpa, Face_of_SpooSpa.jpg, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikipedia. One such don't pertains to a particularly ominously-named region of your face: the "danger triangle.". You shouldnt pop a pimple on your face. 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. For me, it's always been around my nose and my upper lip. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. While a pimple and a sign of infection could physically look the same, a triangle of death patient may have more symptoms. Treat it like a pimple on any other area of your face. However, infections are rare. 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. Video chat with a U.S. board-certified doctor 24/7 in less than one minute for common issues such as: colds and coughs, stomach symptoms, bladder infections, rashes, and more. "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. This will flatten the appearance of the zit making it seem less "popable." 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. 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. Does popping pimples make your condition worse? So what makes popping a pimple so much more dangerous here than, say, bursting one smack in the middle of your forehead? By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Search . Learn more about what its made of and how to get rid of it. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Think of it like a sterile surgical procedure," said Dr. Zeichner. 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. It's called the triangle of death because hypothetically popping a pimple could cause an infection that would easily reach the bloodstream. While popping your zits isn't recommended, there are a few ways to make the operation less high-risk. 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. I popped a pimple on the triangle of death my sister told me that I could get a brain infection is that even possible? Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Spot Gel. Sure, as long as you don't get an infucktion. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. Doctors pay special attention to infections in this area. 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.. If that happens, the veins that run behind your eye sockets may . When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. 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. The content produced by YourTango is for informational and educational purposes only. First, apply a warm washcloth to open up the pores. You're definitely going to die. Dermatologists recommend using ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and retinoids instead of popping. "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. These types of infections are treatable with antibioticsand they would have to rage on for quite awhile before it could make its way to your brain. Cover cuts with topical ointments petroleum jelly can work for minor cuts. Inflammation of the brain from bacterial infections can result in stroke, hearing loss, or permanent brain damage. Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. So let's say you pop a pimple there. Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. and it only seemed to be getting worse. The area includes the bridge of the nose and corners of the mouth. So lets say you pop a pimple there. Your mouth and nose are teeming with bacteria, but your body is designed to protect against them. Left untreated an infection of the sinus cavity can also cause a total loss of vision, brain abscesses and meningitis. 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.) This sound stupid but I have pretty bad anxiety and this is torturing me right now do you think Ill be ok? Popping a pimple in this area can lead to major infections because of its location. 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. But before you start worrying too much, Brauer explained to Mens Health that the chances of death are exceedingly low.. 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. 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. We may earn a commission through links on our site. (Yeah, I think I'll take the concealer over the potential death sentence, thank you very much. 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. Thats because it could cause blood clots, which might lead to stroke. How to Get Rid of Body Acne, According to Dermatologists, The Best Acne Spot Treatments to Get Rid of a Pimple Fast, How to Get Rid of Whiteheads, According to Dermatologists, A Florida Woman Had to Have Her Leg Amputated After a Pedicure, 'Maskne' Is a Very Real Thing Here's How to Beat Face Mask Breakouts, Why You Keep Getting Styes on Your Eyelids and How to Get Rid of Them, Innbeauty Project Pimple Paste Overnight Blemish Drying Paste. 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. "The danger triangle, also referred to as the 'death triangle' is a colloquial skin term," says Ava Shamban, M.D., a dermatologist and founder of Ava MD. A 49-year-old member asked: Popped pimple in death triangle what do i do? If you got some pus in your mouth, it's not dangerous in any way, just a bit gross. Experts dont exactly call it the triangle of deaththey tend to refer to it as the slightly less ominous danger trianglebut theyre referring to the same area: the skin that stretches from the corners of your mouth to the bridge of your nose. Moisturize your skin regularly to prevent cracking or peeling. Scared people buy more and think less rationally. (The former is a condition resulting in itchiness, a rash, or blisters, the latter is commonly referred to as eczema.) 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. Circumstances would be extreme and truly a perfect storm," she says. as well as other partner offers and accept our. Here's What a Doctor Says, How to Use Microlet Lancets to Properly Pop a Zit, According to Dermatologists. He or she will determine whether you need an antibiotic. While these symptoms certainly arent pleasant, theyre definitely noticeable, so youd probably seek treatment before anything serious occurred. Clean your face and keep and eye on the area. If the skin inside this triangle is broken from a cut or popped pimple, for example bacteria can enter your body. If you notice them, see your doctor, stat. 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 . Long ago, this condition was a death sentence, but now we have medicine to help treat it. From there, she recommends using a hydrocolloid acne patch that contains salicylic acid. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. ", Popping your pimples anywhere on your face is not recommended. Lastly, if the fear of deadly infection isnt enough to persuade you to stop the pop, keep in mind the lasting physical damage pimple popping can cause. Still, you definitely shouldn't take the threat lightly. Before popping, thoroughlywash your hands, as Dr. Vij recommended. ThinkConservatively 3 yr. ago. But it turns out that I'm actually lucky to have made it out of these pimple-popping sessions alive. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices 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. Is This Rash Contagious? Unpublished. 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. The tip of the triangle is the bridge of your nose, its base starts at the corners of your mouth and extends up to the outline of your upper lip. RELATED: What It Means If You Have Acne Around Your Mouth. One option? It has access to our control center.. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. But what makes squeezing zits in the triangle of danger so much riskier has to do with its location. These days, many bacterial infections are harder to treat because of antibiotic resistance, especially certain kinds of staph infections, so its best to try to prevent them from happening. For that reason, "any infection in that area is a little bit higher risk," addedAlok Vij, MD, a dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. They usually come with symptoms such as redness, swelling, tenderness, drainage and bleeding, or the spot will keep coming back and filling with pus. 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. Then, you should place a tissue between your skin and fingers to avoid bacteria passing into the blemish and gently extract the pimple by applying pressure on either side of the blemish, says Dr. Shamban. 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. 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). Symptoms, Treatment, and More, Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, Everything You Should Know About Boils on the Inner Thigh, CDC Warns About Drug-Resistant Shigella: What to Know, Drug-Resistant Gonorrhea: Experts Concerned After Multiple Cases Identified, Knee, Hip Replacement: New Hydrogel Injection May Help Reduce Infections, How Mouse Poop Can Make You Sick (and Tips for Prevention). Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. 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. The triangle of death is from the area between your eyebrows down the the sides of your nose. This triangle on your face is so death-prone that science and medicine had to give it this kind of ridiculous-sounding name. 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. 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. There are also important structures around the eyes, nose, and mouth. Use a tissue to clean your nose, and clean any cuts or sores with a first-aid astringent like hydrogen peroxide. At-home pimple popping is generally frowned upon by dermatologists, as it can lead to scarring and more acne. 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!) 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. Basically, no worries! Avoid picking the nose, plucking nose hairs, popping pimples, and use a sterile technique if you have your nose pierced, Strachan said. If you pop a pimple in the "triangle of death," you risk an infection that could travel to your brain and bloodstream. An infection in the. But it's important to practice safely popping a pimple if you absolutely must take a go at it. "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. You can repeat the ice step if desired, and your pimple should shrink within a few days. Addressing acne in this area of the face should be handled with care. But I sincerely doubt it, As for the triangle of death, I thought that was the Bermuda triangle. If you have a pimple, do NOT pop it, no matter how many zit-popping videos you watch! 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. Important: The opinions expressed in WebMD Blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. When they do, it can be tempting to squeeze the suckers once they've turned white in hopes of getting rid of them faster. In fact, many derive pleasure from watching others pop their pimples. Now, a new tale just might make you think twice before putting a bump in the crosshairs of your tweezers or fingernails. Prior to her time at Health, her work appeared in the Observer, Good Housekeeping, CNN, and Vice. Learn how to recognize and treat them, as well as when to see a doctor. 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. However, septic cavernous sinus thrombosis can also lead to other more serious conditions like a brain abscess, a brain infection, damage to your facial nerves, paralysis of your eye muscles, meningitis, pneumonia, septic emboli, a staph infection, and even a stroke. But if your immune system is reasonably normal, that chance is infinitessimal. The triangle of death is the area of your face including your upper lip, nose, and between your eyebrows. Within an hour, her face was swollen and painful. But if you're determined to pop a zit that's, for instance, on your chin, consider your timing.