Can Popping A Pimple In 'The Triangle Of Death' On Your Face Actually Kill You?

NDTV

a day ago

When Lish Marie, a mother of three, popped her pimple, she never realised that she might end up in urgent care, with four different prescriptions.
'"That's the warning," says Lish Marie while posting about her experience on social media.
Lish did what many of us have done without a second thought: popping a pimple.
But this wasn't just any spot. It was in what dermatologists ominously call 'the triangle of death' - and that her casual squeeze could have been fatal.
Within four hours of popping it, Lish says things got "bad".
The left side of her face ballooned so much that when she smiled, only the opposite side moved. It was "extremely painful" and urgent care doctors immediately put her on a mix of antibiotics, steroids and other medication to control the infection.
The reason? The pimple sat inside a danger zone on the face, AKA the triangle of death.
What Exactly Is The Triangle Of Death
The danger triangle, also called the triangle of death, runs from the bridge of your nose down to the corners of your mouth, forming an upside-down triangle.
This area has veins that connect directly to the brain via a blood vessel called the cavernous sinus. Popping pimples in the centre of the face can be particularly dangerous because bacteria from our hands or the air can enter the bloodstream and travel to the brain.
Dr Vishakha Dhorde, Consultant Dermatologist at Kaya Limited, explains the anatomy, "There is no valve mechanism in this area to prevent retrograde blood flow. If bacteria from an infected pimple enter these veins, they can reach the brain and cause severe infections such as septic cavernous sinus thrombosis, potentially leading to loss of eyesight, stroke, paralysis or even death."
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The Dangers Of A Single Squeeze
This risk isn't just theoretical. Several similar instances have been reported over the last few years.
Another social media user, Hope (@imlesbianflavored on TikTok), shared in 2023 how popping a spot in the triangle led to a staph infection that was "worse than childbirth" and left her with a scar, according to the New York Post.
Post also reported that one parent recalled her daughter spending a week in hospital and undergoing facial surgery after an infected pimple spread, while another person commented that her son was hospitalised with a staph infection.
Dr Ajay Rana, Dermatologist, Aesthetic Physician and Founder-Director of ILAMED, says the unique blood vessel structure is what makes this area riskier.
"Because of this anatomical pathway, an infection in this zone can, in rare cases, spread from the face to the brain without the protective filtering of other parts of the circulatory system," he says.
Such infections can potentially lead to cavernous sinus thrombosis, meningitis, brain abscesses or nerve damage.
The complications are rare, but when they occur, they can be devastating.
"You're extremely unlikely to die from popping a pimple - even in the triangle - but the risks, however small, are real and avoidable," Dr Rana adds.
'Never, Never Pop'
"Not a bit of it - never, never pop, squeeze or pick pimples in the triangle of death. Popping forms an open sore, which enables skin bacteria such as Staphylococcus or Streptococcus to get into the bloodstream," Dr Dhorde states firmly.
Even if it starts as a minor skin infection, she warns, it can escalate to brain involvement. And while modern antibiotics mean death rates are low (possibly less than 1 percent), the risk of hospitalisation, surgery and lasting damage is enough to justify caution.
Dr Jisha Pillai, Dermatologist at Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai, agrees.
"Avoid fidgeting whenever possible. It may cause inflammation, hyperpigmentation and scarring. If unavoidable, it should be done under proper medical supervision to prevent secondary infection and deep scars," she says.
The General Rules For Pimple-Popping (If You Must)
Even though experts suggest it is safe to pop pimples outside of the danger triangle, dermatologists still advise restraint.
"Popping causes debris to go deeper into the skin, escalating inflammation, spreading bacteria and creating risks of scars, pigmentation or cysts," says Dr Dhorde.
If you really can't resist, she recommends waiting until a whitehead is visible, washing your hands and face, sterilising tools with alcohol, and using a comedone extractor or cotton swab instead of fingernails.
Post-pop, always apply antibiotic ointment and skip makeup until the area heals.
Dr Rana advises skipping DIY extractions entirely.
"The safest approach is to let pimples heal naturally or use dermatologist-approved treatments like warm compresses, hydrocolloid patches, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or prescription medications," he says.
So, Can Popping A Pimple In The Triangle Of Death Kill You?
If a pimple is painful, swollen or stubborn, a dermatologist can perform a sterile extraction or administer a cortisone injection, experts say.
Ultimately, the best prevention is a good skincare routine and a little patience.
Because yes, most of the time you'll get away with popping a pimple, even in the danger triangle. But as dermatologists point out, when the consequences include blindness, paralysis or worse, it's a risk that's just not worth taking.
And to address the main question - can popping a pimple in the triangle of death actually kill you - the chances are extremely rare... but not altogether zero.