Lish Marie, who shared her story on TikTok under the username @lishmarie1, said the ordeal began when she tried to squeeze what she described as a cystic pimple just below her nostril, a spot many people would consider fairly ordinary for a breakout.
But the blemish was located in what dermatologists refer to as the “triangle of death,” a central area of the face that can carry serious medical risks when disturbed.
Within just four hours, Lish’s condition took a dramatic turn. The side of her face where the pimple had been began to swell, and when she attempted to smile, only the opposite side of her mouth lifted. The pain, she recalled, was “extremely” intense. Concerned, she sought urgent medical attention and was prescribed four medications, including antibiotics and steroids, to stop the infection from spreading.
The “triangle of death” is the area from the bridge of the nose down to the corners of the mouth. According to New York City dermatologist Dr. Mark Strom (via the New York Post), this region has veins that connect directly to the brain through a blood vessel called the cavernous sinus. Squeezing a blemish in this zone can create an opening for bacteria (from hands, skin, or even the air) to enter the bloodstream and travel to the brain. The possible complications are severe, ranging from blindness and stroke to paralysis and even death.
Other people have shared similar frightening experiences. In 2023, TikTok user @imlesbianflavored described developing a staph infection in the same area after popping a pimple, calling the pain “worse than childbirth” and saying it left her with a lasting scar. In response to Lish’s video, commenters recounted their own medical emergencies; including week-long hospital stays, facial surgeries, and near-death encounters caused by similar infections.
Lish credits her quick action for preventing a much worse outcome. “I think I caught mine extremely quick, within hours,” she said, noting that she was still experiencing a slightly “crooked” smile a day later, but recovered fully within three days.
Dermatologists advise avoiding any squeezing in the triangle altogether. Dr. Mamina Turegano, speaking on Instagram, recommended that if someone insists on popping a pimple elsewhere on the face, they should first sterilize their hands and the affected area with rubbing alcohol. Using a sterile diabetic lancet, a very fine needle, they can create a small opening before gently applying pressure with cotton swabs (never fingers) to minimize damage and reduce the risk of scarring. Even with this method, she stressed, the central face area should be strictly off-limits.
Lish’s experience serves as a cautionary tale: what may seem like a harmless cosmetic fix can, in rare but very real cases, turn into a medical emergency. Infections in the “triangle of death” should be treated seriously, and often, the safest option is to leave the spot alone and seek professional help.