See additional information. A staph infection is one of the most common types of infection on this area of the body. Educational text answers on HealthTap are not intended for individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Still, since it can happen, he advises caution with pimples in this area. Instead, seek professional advice. I have painless lumps between eyebrow, like a triangle shape and it's not going away. Inflammation of the brain from bacterial infections can result in stroke, hearing loss, or permanent brain damage. You cant see it, but its there. One reason? Yes and no. Yes and no. Please consult your doctor before taking any action. Touch the tips of your thumbs together, then bring your pointer fingers together, forming a triangle. 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). That advice goes foryour entire face, of course. 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. One option? The area includes the bridge of the. Popping a pimple within . Am I going to get an infection now?? Statistically, there is a chance that you will develop an infection and die. Watching videos of enlarged cysts, deep-rooted blackheads, and even. Squeezing a pimple can create an open wound, which can become infected by dirt from our hands and airborne bacteria. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. However, infections are rare. Some conditions that cause skin rashes are very contagious. 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. 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. Left untreated an infection of the sinus cavity can also cause a total loss of vision, brain abscesses and meningitis. Yes and no. A teenage girl in China has suffered a severe infection inside her brain after she popped a pimple on her nose with her hands.. This triangle on your face is so death-prone that science and medicine had to give it this kind of ridiculous-sounding name. But you really shouldnt pop a pimple in the triangle of death on your face. 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. Answered May 15, 2022. This is the zone known as the triangle of death, or the danger triangle of the face. Here's What a Doctor Says, How to Use Microlet Lancets to Properly Pop a Zit, According to Dermatologists. Your mouth and nose are teeming with bacteria, but your body is designed to protect against them. 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. But before you start worrying too much, Brauer explained to Mens Health that the chances of death are exceedingly low.. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. So yes, popping a pimple (or otherwise picking at your skin) within the danger triangle can be dangerous, but it's more likely to simply aggravate your skin rather than cause a deadly infection. Instead, "apply even, downward pressure around the pimples," said Dr. Zeichner. 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. 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. Of the utmost importance is realizing when to stop. This type of infection can also be prevented with better hygiene practices. They usually come with symptoms such as redness, swelling, tenderness, drainage and bleeding, or the spot will keep coming back and filling with pus. Get answers from Adolescent Medicine Specialists and top U.S. doctors, Our doctors evaluate, diagnose, prescribe, order lab tests, and recommend follow-up care. You've been told over and over and over again to avoid popping your pimples, no matter how tempting they might look. Then, apply a warm compress e.g. Search . This condition can lead to blood clots, which increase the chances of stroke and death. It's been 4 months. LOGIN Subscribe for $1. There are many triangles that weve been told to be wary of Bermuda, love, isosceles. There are also important structures around the eyes, nose, and mouth. Thanks for your recommendation! 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. Your lips aren't included in that area. When you pop a pimple in this area, the skin might become infected. Hartman recommends using preventative measure, like a skincare routine that includes acne-fighting ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, hydroxy acids, and retinoids. Directly beneath the nose and mouth are four major cranial nerves that control functions in and around the face. Learn about her 3 point plan to help keep it regulated. 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. If that happens, the veins that run behind your eye sockets may . 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. While a pimple and a sign of infection could physically look the same, a triangle of death patient may have more symptoms. Now, a new tale just might make you think twice before putting a bump in the crosshairs of your tweezers or fingernails. 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. Just make sure everything is clean. If you got some pus in your mouth, it's not dangerous in any way, just a bit gross. Boils on your inner thigh can be painful. Keeping your hands away from your face is important to get rid of a pimple, per the AAD. 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). This area is connected via blood vessels to areas of the skull where infections can spread very rapidly and become more serious.. Even so, we think well be keeping away from the triangle of death from now on. Next, you should clean the skin on your face. 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. U.S. World; So if it gets infected it could lead to damage there from infection. Popping a pimple in this area can lead to major infections because of its location.. 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. If it was infected, you were already infected. 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). Should I be worried? 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. 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. The condition, known as Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis, kills 30 percent of those who contract it. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Thanks for your response! WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. 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. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. 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. When accidentally stuck by a needle, its important to report it and follow up with your doctor for testing afterward. If there is a break in the skin barrier, cellulitis an infection in the skin furunculosis [boils], or infections in the hair follicles, can occur, Dr. Dina Strachan, a board certified dermatologist in New York, told Healthline. Is This Rash Contagious? But health experts have warned picking or popping pimples in this area could have potentially fatal consequences. So let's say you pop a pimple there. Never pop a zit in the "triangle of death," dermatologists say, no matter how tempting it is. By using our website, you consent to our use of cookies. Is this bad? Within an hour, her face was swollen and painful. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 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. 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. 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. For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service. Additionally, Dr. Vij noted that you should ensure the spaces underneath your fingernails are clean since bacteria are good at hiding there. 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 . "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. Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere. Yeah I washed it afterwards and I will not be doing this again next time. 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. "After picking, apply a topical antibiotic ointment like bacitracin to any open skin. It has access to our control center.. The condition,. Popping them can cause scarring and make the bump worse, you were warned. For these, please consult a doctor (virtually or in person). 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. 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. A 49-year-old member asked: Popped pimple in death triangle what do i do? The teen popped a pimple on the part of her face called the "Triangle of Death". But if your immune system is reasonably normal, that chance is infinitessimal. 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 is from the area between your eyebrows down the the sides of your nose. Hartman told Insider people should proceed with caution when treating acne in this area because DIY extractions can lead to serious infections and even death. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Is It Really Dangerous to Pop a Pimple In the Danger Triangle? 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. You're definitely going to die. Use a tissue to clean your nose, and clean any cuts or sores with a first-aid astringent like hydrogen peroxide. 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. It's called the triangle of death because hypothetically popping a pimple could cause an infection that would easily reach the bloodstream. 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.. Long ago, this condition was a death sentence, but now we have medicine to help treat it. I searched up the first question on google and all the results started talking abot a triangle of death!! Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. (Yeah, I think I'll take the concealer over the potential death sentence, thank you very much. The earlier the diagnosis and treatment, the better, Jalloh said. This is because if you pop a pimple here, it can actually lead to an infection in your brain. In "Triangle of Death" what should I do. It's also a good idea to prevent pimples from forming in the first place. Still, you definitely shouldn't take the threat lightly. If you notice them, see your doctor, stat. The area underneath the triangle contains major sinuses that connect to the brain. There are plenty of cute shapes or colors to make it look like you have some kind of fun sticker on your face. The veins in your danger triangle ultimately lead back to your cavernous sinus, located in your brain, he says. To learn more, please visit our. 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. It's not a pimple. Pimple patches seem cool, Ive heard of them before but never bought any. Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other abusable medications. That can create an open wound, and if bacteria get in theresay, you touch your face without washing dirty handsyou can develop an infection. It's ridiculously tempting to pop your pimples during an outbreak of acne. So what makes popping a pimple so much more dangerous here than, say, bursting one smack in the middle of your forehead? Make sure to wash your hands and use cleanser on your skin. If you get a pimple in or around the Triangle of Death, don't freak out. Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Spot Gel. Our first and most important advice is to keep your hands away from it . Basically, no worries! There are other, more common types of infections in this area that you should take steps to avoid. For me, it's always been around my nose and my upper lip. Infection in this area can often spread from manipulation, such as nose picking, plucking nose hairs, or anything that breaks the skin barrier.. While popping pimples is tempting, it isn't worth the risk for. 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. Anytime you reach for a big zit on your nose, remember the words "potential brain infection.". 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.) 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. In fact, many derive pleasure from watching others pop their pimples. NOW WATCH: How to pop a pimple yourself, according to Dr. Pimple Popper's tips. Popping a pimple in this area can lead to major infections because of its location. (The former is a condition resulting in itchiness, a rash, or blisters, the latter is commonly referred to as eczema.) New warnings are issued after a woman developed cellulitis after popping what she thought was a pimple on a sensitive part of her face. They're a bit expensive but I get starface patches. Your better option: holding a hot washcloth to the spot for one minute, then applying a 10 percent benzoyl peroxide cream, as we reported. 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. RELATED: What It Might Mean If You Have Bumps On Your Face. 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. From there, she recommends using a hydrocolloid acne patch that contains salicylic acid. In the age of Dr. Pimple Popper, the previously repulsive act of pimple-popping has become an almost euphoric experience.