Overview

• Alisha Monaco reported an ear pop, severe unilateral pain, swelling and facial droop after attempting to pierce a pimple near her right nostril.
• Urgent care clinicians prescribed an oral antibiotic, a topical antibiotic, a steroid pack and Flonase, and her swelling began to subside within 12 hours.
• Monaco said her symptoms resolved within three days, and she completed the full courses of antibiotics and steroids as directed.
• Her TikTok documenting the episode has surpassed 8 million views, and she urged others not to pick at blemishes in the so‑called danger triangle.
• Medical experts, including sources cited from the Cleveland Clinic, explained the small but real anatomical pathway for infection spread, while some coverage overstated the case as a confirmed brain infection.