Mom of 3 accidentally touches the ‘triangle of death,’ lands in urgent care in ‘bad’ condition within hours

A mother of three learned a painful lesson about facial hygiene after a simple pimple pop turned into a medical emergency. The woman, known as Lish Marie on social media, shared her scary experience to warn others about the dangers of squeezing blemishes in certain areas of the face.

Lish tried to pop what she described as a cyst pimple located just below her nostril. This area seemed harmless enough, as it’s a common spot for pimples to appear. However, she soon discovered that this particular location falls within what doctors call the “triangle of death.”

Within four hours of popping the pimple, things got “bad” for Lish. The side of her face where she had squeezed the blemish began to swell dramatically. The swelling became so severe that when she tried to smile, only the opposite side of her face could move properly. She described the experience as “extremely painful” and knew she needed medical help right away.

Understanding the dangerous triangle of the death zone

The “triangle of death” refers to a specific area on the face that extends from the bridge of the nose down to the corners of the mouth. This region is particularly risky for pimple popping because of its unique blood vessel connections.NYC dermatologist Dr. Mark Strom explained that this area has veins that connect directly to the brain, a reality that’s often more shocking than any skincare thriller Hollywood could create through a blood vessel called the cavernous sinus.

When someone squeezes a pimple in this zone, they create a small open wound. Bacteria from hands or the surrounding air can enter the bloodstream through this opening. The infection can then travel directly to the brain, causing serious health problems. Possible complications include blindness, stroke, paralysis, and even death in extreme cases  serious health issues that can affect anyone, regardless of their public status or achievements.

At urgent care, doctors put Lish on four different medications to fight the infection. Her treatment included both steroids and antibiotics to help her body recover. She considered herself lucky because she sought medical attention quickly. Lish noted that she caught the problem “extremely quickly, within hours” which helped prevent more serious complications.

Other people have shared similar frightening experiences. One mother commented that her daughter spent a week in the hospital and needed facial surgery after popping a pimple in the triangle of death. Another person mentioned almost dying from the same mistake, requiring hospitalization for a week and a half plus surgery. These stories show that Lish’s experience was not unique.

Recovery took several days for Lish. After 24 hours of treatment, she felt better but still had a slightly crooked smile. By the third day, she reported being “100% back to normal.” Her quick recovery likely resulted from seeking immediate medical care when she noticed the dangerous symptoms.

Medical experts strongly advise against popping any pimples in the triangle of death area. Dermatologist Dr. Mamina Turegano recommends using spot treatments or seeing a dermatologist instead of trying to handle these blemishes at home. For those who absolutely must pop a pimple elsewhere on the face, she suggests sterilizing hands and the area first, using proper tools, and applying minimal pressure to avoid inflammation and scarring.