People are prone to ‘popping pimples’ in an effort to get rid of them quicker. However, now some people are sounding the alarm over the pimple-popping habit you might have.
Keep reading to learn more.
Lish Marie observed a cyst-like pimple near her nose and, like many individuals, decided to squeeze and pop it upon seeing it.
Just a few hours later, she found herself at an urgent care facility where she was given four prescriptions. The mother of three discovered that her act of popping the pimple was not as harmless as she initially believed.
Medical professionals refer to the area where she popped the pimple as the ‘triangle of death.’ This region of the face poses a risk, as popping a pimple there can potentially allow an infection to spread directly to the brain!
She created a TikTok video documenting the entire experience, during which she popped the pimple located just below her nostril, not giving it much thought. She recalls that shortly thereafter, she began to notice swelling in her face.
When she tried to smile, only one side of her face would move while the other remained immobile. Additionally, she was suffering from ‘extreme pain’ in the area of swelling.
She proceeded to an urgent care center where medical professionals attended to her needs.
She was prescribed four different medications, including antibiotics and steroids, to combat the infection. Fortunately, she sought medical help promptly, as the pimple she had popped was situated in the ‘triangle of death’ region.
“I believe I caught mine very quickly, within a few hours, so I am currently taking a significant amount of medication,” she stated.
Just one day later, she was already experiencing improvement. By the third day following the incident, she had returned to her normal state.
Medical professionals have issued warnings regarding the dangers of popping pimples in the “triangle of death.”
This specific area on the face poses a risk of potentially allowing bacteria to reach the brain, which can result in severe health complications.
Dr. Mark Strom, a dermatologist, advises that if you have a pimple in the facial region, which extends from the bridge of your nose to the corners of your mouth, it is best not to pop it, as this area contains veins that connect directly to the brain.
“Popping pimples in the central part of the face can be especially hazardous. Squeezing these pimples creates a small wound through which bacteria can enter the bloodstream, leading to infection,” he explained.
“The facial area from the bridge of the nose down to the corners of the mouth contains veins that connect directly to the brain via a blood vessel known as the cavernous sinus,” he added.
Dr. Strom indicates that if a pimple in this region is popped, it creates an ‘open wound’ that allows bacteria to enter the bloodstream directly.
This can result in an infection that may spread to the brain. Should further complications develop, one could suffer from blindness, stroke, or even paralysis. In severe instances, the infection could also be life-threatening.
If it becomes necessary to pop a pimple in this area, Dermatologist Dr. Mamina Turegano advises that both the pimple and the hands used for popping must be properly sterilized.
“Then, use a diabetic lancet, which features a very fine needle, to create a small opening with a gentle prick that ‘won’t cause too much damage,’” she explained.
Following this, pressure should be applied using two cotton swabs to assist in absorbing the pimple.
“When popping a pimple, it is crucial to avoid applying excessive pressure; otherwise, you may experience increased inflammation and scarring,” she noted, while also emphasizing that individuals should refrain from taking risks with pimples situated in the ‘triangle of death.’
Share this with others to let them know about this risky move when it comes to pimples.
