When faced with a new facial pimple, you have an ultimatum: pop it up or don’t pop it?
But when it comes to pimples located in the “triangle of death,” it’s best to leave them alone and let them heal on their own, experts say.
Also known as the Danger Triangle, this area extends from the tip of the nose to a point on either side of the lips, approximately where dimples typically appear.
A dermatologist has revealed how popping a pimple inside the triangle of death can lead to serious infections.
New York-based Dr. Mark Strom said, “Popping pimples in the center of your face can be particularly dangerous.”
“The area of the face from the bridge of the nose to the corners of the mouth has veins that connect directly to the brain through a blood vessel called the cavernous sinus.”
Introducing bacteria from your fingers into the veins that run behind your eye sockets could cause the germs to travel to the brain.
This could put pressure on the brain and cause partial or complete paralysis and, in some cases, even death.
The “triangle of death” extends from the tip of the nose to a point on either side of the lips, approximately where dimples typically appear.
If left untreated, a sinus cavity infection can also lead to complete vision loss, brain abscesses, and meningitis.
Experts have previously told DailyMail.com that in the worst case scenario, if inflammation from one spot spreads to the inner part of the brain, there is the possibility of blindness and massive stroke.
The condition, known as cavernous sinus thrombosis by medical professionals, kills 30 percent of those who contract it.
The chances of this happening are “slim to none,” but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take every precaution possible when treating stains.
Dr. Lee recommends applying hazelnut to stubborn areas of the Danger Triangle to disinfect the area and reduce swelling.
New York-based Dr. Mark Strom said, “Popping pimples in the center of your face can be particularly dangerous.”
But while picking the skin inside the triangle can certainly lead to serious infections, you are much more likely to experience significant facial scarring, as infections must be allowed to develop seriously before they become life-threatening.
Controversial celebrity doctor Dr. Mehmet Oz warned that even plucking a hair from the inside of your nose can leave you susceptible to infection within the triangle, as a small volume of blood leaks from the ruptured follicle.
To avoid this, Dr. Erich Voigt of New York University suggests trimming nose hairs instead of plucking them.