"The Triangle of Death." It sounds like the title of a horror movie, doesn't it? Recently, 12-year-old Arkansas native, Kali Hardig, was struck down by a brain-eating amoeba she contracted while swimming at a local water park. This brain-eating parasite, called Naegleria Fowleri, likely entered through her nostrils, entered her "Triangle of Death" area and caused her to develop a rare but deadly form of parasitic meningitis.

In light of this unfortunate development, I thought it advisable to write about The Triangle of Death and how to protect yourself and your family with safe practices. In this article, I'll show you the right and wrong way to groom this area and will give you some vital tips on how to stay safe in public water parks.

What is "The Triangle of Death"?

The Triangle of Death is the area from the bridge of your nose to the corners of your mouth. The blood vessels in this area are very important because they are a direct line to your brain. This means any infections that develop in this area may completely bypass other organ systems and go directly to the nerve center. If you develop an infection in this area, it can lead to headaches, vision loss, permanent paralysis, and even death.

The grooming habits you practice everyday could put you in danger of developing a life-threatening brain infection. This is why it's important to know what (and what not) to do.

Avoid:

Tweezing Nose Hair

Your nose hair may be irritating but it's your first line of defense against upper respiratory infections. Tweezing hairs directly out of your nose is not only painful; it can leave you with an open wound that may lead to a deadly brain infection.

Many are nasal carriers of staph bacteria (including MRSA), for example, and the bacteria is then able to enter the area from which the hair was just plucked. From there, entering the nearby brain is easy. Instead of plucking hairs with a sharp metal instrument, trim them back with clippers instead.

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