There’s a particular hell that could be a ripe pimple cropping up in or round your nostril. These intruders could be huge, painful, and let’s face it, whole eyesores. However earlier than you even take into consideration giving a type of suckers a superb squeeze, it’s best to know that there’s a purpose—a number of, truly—why you shouldn’t mess with nostril zits.

Popping a pimple anyplace often isn’t a good suggestion (you’ll be able to learn extra about that right here). However on the subject of your nostril specifically, the stakes are significantly increased—a lot in order that specialists have dubbed the area out of your nasal bridge to the corners of your mouth the “triangle of dying” or “hazard triangle,” Mamina Turegano, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Sanova Dermatology in Los Angeles, tells SELF.

The excellent news is that you simply in all probability gained’t die after going to city on that annoying nostril bump in entrance of your toilet mirror, Dr. Turegano says. Nonetheless, we strongly counsel you retain studying to be taught why, precisely, this space of your face has earned its ominous nickname.

What’s the “triangle of dying”?

Think about a triangle with these three factors: One on the prime of your nostril, and one at every nook of your mouth. Yep, all the pieces inside that form is the hazard zone, Kiyanna Williams, MD, board-certified dermatologist and employees doctor on the Cleveland Clinic, tells SELF.

“This space is exclusive as a result of there are a number of blood vessels there which are linked to the mind,” Dr. Williams explains. Particularly, she’s referring to a gaggle of veins within the cavernous sinus, a area of the cranium behind the attention sockets. An an infection within the triangle of dying (from a popped pimple or in any other case) can probably journey by these blood vessels, which might result in life-threatening circumstances like meningitis, an an infection of the tissues surrounding the mind and spinal wire, or cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST), a clot that restricts blood move to the mind.

Sure, these situations sound extremely scary, however don’t panic: Getting a lethal an infection from poking at a nostril zit “is an excessive case,” Dr. Williams says, “however that’s why this a part of the face, in comparison with the cheeks, for example, is extra excessive threat.”

Why you shouldn’t pop a pimple in your nostril (or anyplace contained in the “hazard triangle”).

You may get extra zits.

CST worries apart, there are rather more possible outcomes you’ll need to keep away from. For starters, you may make your blemish even angrier if you happen to don’t depart it the heck alone, Dr. Turegano says. That’s as a result of the power from squeezing can enhance irritation, resulting in much more ache or swelling, in response to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).