Popping a pimple in the triangle of death area ends in hospital

One woman ends up in hospital after squeezing a pimple in the triangle of death area, underscoring medical risks of facial skin picking.

Popping a pimple in the triangle of death area ends in hospital

Alisha Monaco, 32, popped a pimple located between the corners of the mouth and the bridge of the nose. After trying to pop it, she used a sanitized pimple popper tool and felt dizziness as her ear popped. Hours later she woke with excruciating pain on the right side of her face, swelling and a crooked smile. She called her husband and went to urgent care, where staff were kind and reassuring. She was prescribed four medications to manage symptoms and reduce infection risk, then discharged. The case has circulated on TikTok, with Monaco saying she wanted to warn others to avoid the area and consider a patch instead.

Dermatologist Dr. Alok Vij explained the danger zone is connected to the cavernous sinus behind the eye sockets, creating a potential route for infections to reach the brain. He cautioned that while such infections are rare, any skin breach near the nose or mouth can carry risk. The incident highlights how health issues spread online and the need for clear, practical guidance on safe skincare, especially for high risk areas.

This incident shows how quickly medical specifics can get lost in social media. A personal story travels fast, but the anatomy behind the risk needs clear explanation. The triangle of death is a real concept in facial anatomy, and doctors stress that infections can reach the brain through veins in this region, even if such events are uncommon.

The episode also points to a broader issue: public health messages must be practical and easy to follow. The balance between personal autonomy and safety matters online, where a simple pimple pop can turn into medical drama. Clear guidance, such as using pimple patches and avoiding risky areas, can reduce harm without shaming anyone.

Highlights

Clear medical guidance is better than viral myths when it comes to facial health.