If you’ve ever caught a spot that’s grown overnight on your face, it might be tempting to pop it quickly and move on with your day.
However, it’s never recommended to take this approach as it could make it worse and cause scarring – or, it could be fatal in some cases.
London-based GP, Dr Sermed Mezher, MBChB, explained why in a TikTok video. He said: “We’ve all heard that we should never pop our pimples.
“But it’s even more important if it’s done in this area [the triangle of death] and I’m going to explain why.
“Every time you pop a pimple, you’re actually opening up that area to new bacteria from the outside world.”
He added: “The white stuff in the pimple isn’t actually infection necessarily – it’s something called neutrophils which are dead white cells that have been fighting infection. It’s not like you’re letting any infection out and it could even cause scarring.”
Dr Mezher points out on a picture that the ‘triangle of death’ is the area on your face that goes around the nose and just above the upper lip. He says it gets its scary name for a specific reason.
He said: “This area isn’t called the triangle of death for no reason either.
“If you get skin infection that happen over here, they actually have a direct route to your brain through your venous drainage system called the cavernous sinus that could lead to a clot in your brain and potentially have lethal consequences.”
Thankfully, you’re “unlikely” to die from popping a spot in this area as reports of this kind of clotting is rare. However, it is a chance the doctor says you shouldn’t take and highlights the importance of properly dealing with acne.
The NHS describes acne as a “very common” condition for teenagers and younger adults. About 95% of people aged 11 to 30 are affected by acne to some extent.
Research has found the problem is most common in girls from the ages of 14 to 17, and in boys from the ages of 16 to 19.
Many face challenges for several years before noticing a gradual improvement in their symptoms by their mid-20s. In certain instances, acne may persist into adulthood, affecting around 3% of adults over the age of 35.
While there is no definitive cure for acne, it can be managed effectively with the right treatment. A variety of creams, lotions, and gel designed for spot treatment are readily available at pharmacies.
For more severe cases, additional medical assistance may be necessary. The NHS advises anyone experiencing acne on any part of their body to consult their GP if over-the-counter treatments have not been effective.