Facial Triangle of Death: Where a Pimple Could Become Fatal

Have you ever wondered if Bermuda is the only dangerous triangle that exists? Think again! There’s another one - right on your face.

There is a small facial area called the danger triangle, and the infections that originate from this zone may easily spread deeper into neighboring organs in the head leading to life-threatening complications. This article intends to provide awareness about the common causes of infections in this area, warning signs, and preventive measures.

The Dangerous Zone of Face

Not all infections in the face end up in serious complications or life-threatening conditions. Only infections that arise in and around this particular zone are more likely to spread backward into the nose, eyes, sinuses, or even the brain. This delicate area extends from the apex of the nose to the corners of the mouth on both sides.

Structure-wise, many blood vessels and nerves run behind this region spreading across the inner sides of the eyes, nearby sinuses, facial bones, and linings of the brain. These innermost parts may get infected due to microbes from the bloodstream draining this facial triangle.

Common Causes of Infection

Though popping pimples/acne is a common cause of potential complications, there are other means through which bacteria get transmitted into the bloodstream. For example, injury or cuts in this susceptible area may harbor microorganisms if there is a lack of hygiene or frequent touching.

Besides these, simple causes can include dental infection, nose piercings, or even nose picking. Picking the nose or plucking nasal hair with unclean hands can easily transmit infection-causing bacteria from this region. Untreated decayed tooth with pus can easily spread infection to deeper tissues, especially when a person has a compromised immune system. Sometimes piercing the nose or surrounding areas may also give rise to infection when the tools or materials used for piercing are not sterilized properly. Therefore, one should be cautious and make sure that they get their piercings from a clean and sterile environment.

Warning Signs

The most common symptoms include swelling and redness around the affected area accompanied by fever and tiredness. Usually, the site of infection may show some visible signs of inflammation on the face early on, followed by an elevated body temperature.

As it spreads deeper, additional symptoms may be experienced depending on the extent of the infection and organs involved. For example, if it involves the eye, one may experience swelling, drooping/swollen eyelids, or double vision. It can spread deeper into the sinuses and form a blood clot leading to feelings of headache and pressure. If the brain is involved, there are chances of severe headaches, vomiting, visual disturbances, and altered consciousness. The person may also experience difficulty maintaining balance or develop feelings of numbness.

Safety Measures

Seeking medical attention at the right time is a crucial step in preventing risky complications from any infection in this region. The following are some best practices to handle any infection/injury in this area:

·       Avoid picking your nose or nasal hair with unclean hands or unhygienic tools. Popping a pimple in this area with clean or unclean fingers can lead to infection. Avoid frequently touching the face as it may transfer harmful pathogens into the face.

·       If there is any long-standing infection or pus in any of the teeth, get it treated as soon as possible to prevent transmission of infection into adjacent areas. Also, consider visiting the dentist every 6 months to ensure maintenance of oral hygiene.

·       Get nose/lip piercings from professionally certified, sterile piercing studios.

·       If there is an active pimple/acne in this region accompanied by other symptoms like tiredness or mild fever, seek medical care immediately. These initial symptoms may be warning signs of an inwardly progressing infection.

·       Individuals with poor immunity may boost their immune system by consuming foods rich in Vitamin C and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It is generally recommended that such individuals consult the physician even though they do not experience preliminary symptoms like pain or fever.

References:

1. Clinical and anatomical aspects of cavernous sinus thrombosis associated to nasal piercing. (2023). Journal of Morphological Sciences, 181–186. https://doi.org/10.51929/jms.40.109.2023

2. Brain abscess secondary to a dental infection in an 11-year-old child: case report. (2012). PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22558953/

3. Varshney, S., Malhotra, M., Gupta, P., Gairola, P., & Kaur, N. (2014). Cavernous sinus thrombosis of nasal origin in children. Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, 67(1), 100–105. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-014-0805-4

4. Geng, B., Wu, X., & Malhotra, A. (2020). Septic cavernous sinus thrombosis—Case series and review of the literature. Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery, 197, 106092. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clineuro.2020.106092

5. BD Chaurasia’s Human Anatomy, Volume 3 Head Neck and Brain 6th Edition : Free download, borrow, and streaming : Internet Archive. (2020, December 25). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/bd-chaurasias-human-anatomy-volume-3-head-neck-and-brain-6th-edition_20201225/page/n79/mode/2up

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