While it may seem very tempting to pop a pimple on your face, Dance Moms star Brooke Hyland recently got into trouble when she popped one in an area called the “triangle of death.”
Hyland, 25, who as a content creator often shares her daily life on social media, went viral after her posted a video a few weeks ago she explained that she woke up with an extremely swollen eye after popping a pimple near her eyebrow.
In the comments section, many warned that the area was close to the “triangle of death,” the part of the face from the bridge of your nose to the corners of your mouth.
It is such a dangerous area to have a pimple in as it can lead to a facial infection that could potentially spread to the brain, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
In the first video, Brooke Hyland, 25, said she woke up with an extremely swollen eye after popping a pimple near her eyebrow.
Hyland co-starred with Abby Lee Miller on the hit show Dance Moms when she was younger
“I woke up and I was like, damn, it looks like I have a lot of scabs in my eyes,” Hyland began in the video, which has been viewed more than 3.5 million times since it was published.
“No, I just can't open one,” she continued, showing off her completely swollen eye and the pimple right next to her eyebrow.
She explained that she had a “solid” hard pimple near her eyebrow for about two days, and later woke up with a swollen eye.
“I swear the inflammation around it has spread to my eye,” Hyland claimed.
“So if you have any medical experience, can I just put some ice on it and call it a day?” she asked her viewers. “Do you think it will go down? Should I be worried, because I don't look so good.'
In response, her comments were flooded with many TikTok users warning her about the “triangle of death.”
'It's very close to the triangle of death… it could very well be staph. I would go to a doctor to get it checked out,” one person wrote.
Another agreed, typing: 'No, it's close to the triangle of death! Run to the emergency room!!!!'
“I swear the inflammation around it has spread to my eye,” Hyland claimed in the video clip
In the comments section, many users warned her about the dangerous potential of the 'triangle of death'
The 'triangle of death' extends from the bridge of your nose to the corners of your mouth
According to a New York City dermatologist Dr. Kiran Mianof Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery, picking a pimple that popped up in the “triangle of death” could potentially be bad news.
“Picking at a pimple can introduce bacteria that lead to an infection anywhere on the face, but is especially dangerous in this area due to its proximity to the brain,” Dr. Mian to DailyMail.com.
'There is a close connection between the ophthalmic veins, the facial veins and the nasal blood supply which all lead to the cavernous sinus.
'The cavernous sinus is a conduit of blood vessels and connects the blood supply from the face to the skull.'
Dr. Mian added that an infection in this 'triangle of death' can spread to the brain 'very easily', and/or can also spread to the eyes.
If you have a pimple in the area and have similar symptoms to Hyland's, you should see a doctor immediately, the dermatologist warned.
“Excessive swelling, purulent drainage, fever, eye pain, or difficulty moving the eyes should be reported to a doctor immediately,” Dr. Mian to DailyMail.com.
'Antibiotics can help eliminate this infection before it spreads to more dangerous locations.'
Hyland followed up on the “triangle of death” in another video, revealing that she was treated with antibiotics
New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Kiran Mian, from Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery, explained to DailyMail.com why having a pimple in the 'triangle of death' was so dangerous
Hyland has since announced that her eye felt much better and the swelling had gone down
She also recommended keeping your hands off a pimple in that area.
“If anyone has a breakout in this area, I strongly recommend avoiding manual manipulation,” she said.
“You can apply a pimple patch with clean hands, acne medication, or see a dermatologist for in-office treatment.”
Luckily, Hyland went to a doctor and started a course of antibiotics, which she explained in a brief explanation follow up video.
“Moral of the story: Just don't pop anything and don't pick and choose in these areas,” the Dance Moms star warned viewers.
In the clip, Hyland also shared more information about the “triangle of death” and included a photo of what the area looked like.
She explained that she had a virtual appointment with a doctor who prescribed her antibiotics, but also planned to go to the hospital to have it checked out.
Hyland admitted the comments “terrified” her.
“I'm scared for my life right now because of this damn pimple,” she said.
In a latest update videoshe confirmed that her eye was finally completely better and that she was on the road to recovery.