Pimple popping is a popular trend that many individuals enthusiastically partake in, and a variety of tools are readily available to aid in the eradication of these troublesome blemishes. However, what if this seemingly harmless activity could have grave repercussions? Well, one prominent American celebrity doctor has issued a stern warning to the public.
Dr. Mehmet Oz, renowned for dispensing health advice on television shows such as Oprah, asserts that there exists a critical region on your face that should never be disturbed. He refers to it as the “Triangle of Death.”
According to Dr. Oz, this triangular region is defined by the upper portion of your nose and two points flanking your lips. If one were to meddle with this area, he contends that it could pose serious health risks.
In a 2014 interview with CNBC’s Squawk Box, Dr. Oz cautioned, “If you pick at that area, that triangle of death, you run the risk of infection spreading beneath the skin and traveling to your brain.”
However, the peril isn’t limited to just the surface of this “Triangle of Death.” Dr. Oz continued, “When you pluck a hair from inside your nose, it can cause a small amount of bleeding from the disrupted follicle.” This seemingly minor skin damage and blood leakage could lead to severe conditions such as cavernous sinus thrombosis, meningitis, or a brain abscess – all of which are extremely grave illnesses.
Typically, this sequence of events commences with the formation of a blood clot within the sinus. This clot can exert pressure on the nerves surrounding the cavernous sinus, potentially impairing the function of muscles or glands. While such occurrences are rare, if left unnoticed, they could ultimately jeopardize an individual’s life.
Dr. Sandra Lee, popularly known as “Dr. Pimple Popper,” echoes Dr. Oz’s concerns regarding the Triangle of Death. In 2016, she told Allure, “If you ever develop an infected pimple in this region, it has a shorter distance to travel to reach the cavernous sinus. Should inflammation from a pimple spread, there is a potential risk of blindness or stroke.”
However, due to the rarity of such cases, there is limited scientific information available to substantiate these claims. Consequently, the medical community has distanced itself from Dr. Oz.
The American Council on Science and Health has not endorsed his advice, citing a lack of supporting evidence. The organization once stated, “We, like others in the scientific community, have consistently criticized Dr. Oz for dispensing advice that lacks scientific evidence. His recommendations often lacked legitimate scientific literature citations, frequently disregarding potential harm and associated high costs.”
Given these considerations, you might want to think twice before attempting to pop that troublesome pimple in the Triangle of Death.
Featured Image Credit: The Oprah Winfrey Show
