Did you know that squeezing a pimple can be fatal?
In general, it is advised not to squeeze your pimples, but for many it is simply too tempting. However, there is one area on your face where you really shouldn't do that. If a pimple appears around your nose or upper lip, it is wise to hold back. This area is called the triangle of death, and popping that white bump can be fatal for you.
The Triangle of Death
The term sounds like an action movie about the Bermuda Triangle, but the two triangles have nothing to do with each other. It simply refers to the piece of skin that runs from the bridge of your nose to both corners of your mouth. Beneath the skin, which covers a significant part of your face, lies a network of blood vessels that is directly connected to your eye sockets and even your brain. This makes this zone different from the rest of your face. When you scratch or squeeze a pimple here, a bacterium can not only leave a local infection but, in rare cases, also dive deeper into the body. In the direction of your eye sockets or brain, that is. This can lead to serious conditions such as meningitis or cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), a rare but dangerous form of thrombosis.
You are probably spared
The chance that things will really go wrong is very, very small. It's not that touching a pimple once immediately means it's the end of the story; an aggressive bacterium is needed to manage to enter your bloodstream. Still, the possible consequences are not mild: an infection can lead to a stroke, loss of vision, or in the worst case, death. But don't forget that it is rare. What you should be alert to are signs of an infection that is spreading. Think of fever, an increasingly larger swelling, redness, or discoloration spreading towards your eyes or cheeks. Those are moments when you should not wait but simply contact your doctor or, if it worsens quickly, the emergency room.
If you do it anyway: here's how to minimize the damage
Although dermatologists advise against squeezing pimples, they also know that many people still do it. In that predictable case, it is important to approach it as hygienically and carefully as possible. Always start with clean hands. That sounds simple enough, but is often where it goes wrong. Dirt under your nails is a breeding ground for bacteria. Preferably do not use your nails at all: they can damage the skin faster and increase the chance of deep scars. Work with your fingers and apply light pressure around the pimple, not on it. If the contents don't come out immediately; abort mission, pushing harder only makes it worse. The moment you do it also matters. Standing in front of the mirror around bedtime and “quickly” trying to fix something ends messily. Think of squeezing your pimple like a surgeon views an open-heart surgery. Aftercare is at least as important: keep the wound clean and possibly apply an antibacterial ointment. And perhaps most importantly: stay away from that infamous triangle as much as possible!
There are indeed risks associated with that seemingly innocent pimple. The ‘triangle of death’ is a real thing, but there is no need to panic. A little self-control can prevent a lot of misery. And if you do go with two fingers towards your impurities (which you probably will), at least you know how to approach it as safely as possible.
SOURCE: health
