From serious infections to strokes and blindness: Why you should NEVER pop or pick at a pimple in the 'Triangle of Death'



• It can be tempting to pop pimples, but doing so can have severe consequences

• Picking at spots in the facial 'Triangle of Death' could cause serious infection

• Leading dermatologists say it could cause meningitis, blindness and even stroke

While it is common knowledge that popping pimples can leave you with temporary inflammation, unsightly blemishes and scarring, many people are unaware of the dangerous consequences of picking at spots in one particular facial 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.

And according to medical experts, picking at skin inside this danger zone can have serious implications for your overall health.

Popping a pimple within the danger triangle is cause for alarm due to the blood supply in this region of the face.

According to Jeremy Brauer, clinical professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Centre, the veins running behind our eye sockets lead back to the 'cavernous sinus' which is located in the brain.

He told Men's Health that when we pick or pop pimples, dirt from our hands and airborne bacteria can infect the open wound, triggering serious infection.

The veins behind our eyes form clots to contain infections, which in turn puts pressure on the brain leading to partial or full paralysis and, in some cases, even death.

Left untreated, an infection of the sinus cavity can also lead to a total loss of vision, brain abscesses and meningitis.

Meanwhile Dr Sandra Lee, aka Dr Pimple Popper, explained that in worst-case scenarios, if inflammation from a spot spreads to the inner part of the brain, there is potential for blindness and massive stroke.

According to Sandra Lee - AKA Dr Pimple Popper - people are best advised to leave spots alone as picking at them is damaging to the skin.

She recommended putting band aids over the affected area or covering with spot cream containing disinfectant properties such as hazel to reduce inflammation.

With stubborn pimples the expert said the best thing to use is a warm compress to take down swelling.

The condition, known as Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis by medical professionals, kills 30 per cent of those who contract it.

However, when speaking to The Doctors, she cautioned that the chances of this happening are 'slim to none'. However, this doesn't mean that you shouldn't take every possible precaution when dealing with spots.

Dr Lee recommends dabbing hazel onto stubborn spots in the Danger Triangle to disinfect the area and reduce swelling.

But while picking at skin inside the triangle can certainly lead to grave infections, it is far more likely you’ll experience significant facial scarring as infections must be left to develop in severity before they become life threatening.

Controversial US based celebrity medic Dr Mehmet Oz cautioned that even plucking a hair from inside your nose can leave you susceptible to infection within the triangle, as a tiny volume of blood leaks out from the disrupted follicle.

To avoid this, Dr Erich Voigt of New York University suggests trimming nose hairs rather than plucking them.

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