• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Dermatologist explains why you should never attempt to pop a spot in ‘triangle of death’ location

Home> News> Health

Published 12:24 9 Nov 2024 GMT

Dermatologist explains why you should never attempt to pop a spot in ‘triangle of death’ location

A skin expert has explained why you should leave spots in this area of your face alone

Joshua Nair

Joshua Nair

An expert has explained why you should avoid popping pimples in a certain area on your face.

Affectionately nicknamed the 'triangle of death', you might want to steer clear of the area - for your own health.

It is advised that you keep this area untouched, and allow any spots that pop up here to heal on their own.

You shouldn't pop spots in the 'triangle of death' (Getty Stock Photo)
You shouldn't pop spots in the 'triangle of death' (Getty Stock Photo)

What is 'the triangle of death'?

The area on your face can be defined as the section in the centre of your face, in what is known as the nasolabial triangle.

Advert

It extends from the bridge of your nose down to your upper lip, and you may have noticed that it's a hotspot for pimples and blackheads to form.

However, it's also where crucial arteries and nerves run from your neck, through your sinuses and up to your skull.

To see exactly where the area is, form a triangle with your fingers and place it over your nose.

What happens if you pop spots in this area?

Simulations of what can happen to your body have gone viral in the past on social media, but the claims have been heavily backed up by skin experts across the world.

Advert

Dr. Mark Strom, who is based in New York City, explained to the Daily Mail: "Popping pimples in the centre of the face can be particularly dangerous.

"The area of the face from the bridge of the nose down to the corners of the mouth has veins that connect directly to the brain via a blood vessel called the cavernous sinus."

Transferring bacteria from your fingers to your veins behind your eye sockets could lead to it travelling to your brain, which in extreme cases, can lead to partial/full paralysis, or even death.

In the best case scenario, nothing happens, but you may scar your skin - so it's always best to leave those pesky spots be.

You could get CST if you pop pimples in the 'triangle of death' (Getty Stock Photo)
You could get CST if you pop pimples in the 'triangle of death' (Getty Stock Photo)

What are the long-term health risks?

An infection of the sinus cavity, if left untreated, can lead to a loss of vision, meningitis and brain abscesses.

Advert

Blindness or massive stroke can also be caused if an inflamed spot spreads to an inner part of the brain.

The condition is called Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis (CST) by those in the medical world, while having a death rate of 30 percent.

Although the chances of you actually getting the infection are described as 'slim to none', you should still take precaution when dealing with your spots and blemishes

Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images/The Oprah Winfrey Show

Topics: Health, News

Joshua Nair
Joshua Nair

Joshua Nair is a journalist at LADbible. Born in Malaysia and raised in Dubai, he has always been interested in writing about a range of subjects, from sports to trending pop culture news. After graduating from Oxford Brookes University with a BA in Media, Journalism and Publishing, he got a job freelance writing for SPORTbible while working in marketing before landing a full-time role at LADbible. Unfortunately, he's unhealthily obsessed with Manchester United, which takes its toll on his mental and physical health. Daily.

X

@joshnair10

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

11 mins ago
an hour ago
2 hours ago
12 hours ago
  • 11 mins ago

    Police slam British teen's claim as they release CCTV after she is accused of 'smuggling £200k of cannabis'

    Bella May Culley has been detained in Georgia since May

    News
  • an hour ago

    Inside Trump's Alligator Alcatraz as president says he wants to see 'more' of them built

    Officials boasted they built it in a week, that's got people worried about how well they built it

    News
  • 2 hours ago

    People can't believe Donald Trump's letter to Prime Minister wasn't written 'by a fifth grader'

    It's not the first time people have said Trump communicates like a 'fifth grader'

    News
  • 12 hours ago

    Man had chilling vision 10 days in a row before plane crash that saw 273 people killed

    Despite multiple calls to the company, nothing could be done

    News
  • Worrying simulation shows why you should never pop spots in ‘triangle of death’ on your face
  • Car salesperson explains why you should never go to a dealership with other people
  • Doctor explains why you should never have ice in your drink at a restaurant
  • Dentist explains why you should never use mouthwash right before or after brushing your teeth