We are not talking about the Bermuda Triangle here;
this triangle is right in the middle of your face known as the Danger Triangle, Nasolabial Triangle, and Triangle of Death. The lower corners of the triangle are at the corners of the upper lip, joining up to where the bone of the nose connects with the forehead, as shown in the image below.
Why is this area of the face important?
The human face alone has many unique features and their connections to internal organs. This specific area beneath the beautiful human skin has the cavernous sinus, a web of vast veins that connect to the cavernous sinus at the base of the skull, directly linking to the brain.
The Cavernous Sinus is attached to some very important structures, including the Optic Chiasm which helps perform the function of our eyes and vision, the Cranial Nerves which are responsible for different senses (hearing, taste, smell, and sight) and muscle movement including (facial expressions, tongue movement, and other general sensations), and the pituitary gland, which is in charge of making and releasing some hormones directly in the blood stream, and for producing sweat on face and tears in our eyes.
So if you accidentally make a cut or pop a pimple in this triangle, bacteria can penetrate the skin and cause critical infections instantaneously.
Diseases caused by infection in the Danger Triangle
While some infections are treated naturally by our body, some infections that spread through any opening in the Danger Triangle can lead to a severe condition called Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis (CST).
CST is very dangerous and can threaten our lives because it affects essential functions of the brain and body. Some other diseases are caused due to infection in this area, listed below:
â—Ź Staph Infection
â—Ź Facial nerve damage
â—Ź Meningitis
â—Ź Paralysis of eye muscles
â—Ź Pneumonia
â—Ź Infected blood clots in the bloodstream
â—Ź Brain Abscess (pus filled swelling in the brain)
Symptoms and Treatment
Remember: “Prevention is better than Cure.”
So you should always maintain good hygiene, do not squeeze or pop pimples, do not scratch any wounds in this area, and do not touch your face with dirty hands.
But if somehow you got the infection and any one or more than one of the following symptoms show up, please consult a doctor immediately for diagnosis and treatment.
The symptoms are classified into four major types as follows;
Fever & Headache:
It is not necessary that every fever and headache might be a dangerous infection; it could happen because of weather changes or many other reasons, but if you experience a severe headache and fever after popping a pimple or making a cut on the skin in the danger triangle, then you should see a doctor.
Eye Problems:
There can be multiple reasons for eye problems, like heavy dust particles in the eyes can cause redness, and some chemicals, accidentally coming in contact with the eyes, can cause itching and irritation. But if you have an open wound in the danger triangle and then you experience swelling around the eyes, decreased/Altered Vision, redness in the eyes, then you should immediately visit a doctor.
Facial Swelling and Pain:
If you feel any pain, sensitivity, swelling, and/or redness, especially near the nose and eye area, after popping a pimple or if you accidentally made a cut on the skin in the danger triangle, it is advised that you immediately consult a doctor.
Cranial Nerve Issues:
You should also see a doctor if you get infected in the danger triangle because the third to sixth cranial nerves can be affected, leading to facial pain and weakness or issues with eye movement or weakness in the muscles that control eye movement, which could also lead to eye paralysis.