Cauliflower Ear (2024)

FAQs

Cauliflower Ear? ›

Cauliflower ear, also known as wrestler's ear, is a deformity caused by blunt auricular trauma. A hematoma forms in the outer ear, disrupting the cartilage's blood supply and producing necrosis and inflammation. Fibrocartilaginous overgrowth occurs, forming the characteristic cauliflower-like appearance.

Even if it's not treated, cauliflower ear doesn't tend to cause major issues other than cosmetic ones. But it won't go away on its own. If you don't get treatment, your misshapen ear can become permanent within 10 days. Cauliflower ear can also return, with or without treatment.

The term “cauliflower ear” refers to a deformity of your ear that's caused by blunt force trauma. The condition is common among boxers, wrestlers and martial artists, but it can happen to anyone who sustains an injury to their outer ear. To reduce your risk for permanent damage, prompt treatment is key.

If left untreated, cauliflower ear can cause significant pain and loss of balance and hearing. A study focused solely on wrestlers found that those with cauliflower ear had a far greater documented prevalence of hearing loss than their peers without cauliflower ear.

Less frequently, cauliflower ear can occur due to non-traumatic inflammatory injury of the perichondrium, such as relapsing polychondritis.

If left untreated, the cartilage can die leaving a permanent deformity that is very difficult to reconstruct. Treatment usually involves the evacuation of the accumulated blood and a compressive dressing. The compressive dressing is worn to re-establish the connection between the skin and underlying cartilage.

Cauliflower ear is permanent, but in some cases, you may be able to reverse the appearance using corrective surgery, known as otoplasty. During the surgery, your doctor makes a cut behind your ear to expose the cartilage. Your doctor then either removes some of the cartilage or uses stitches to reshape your ear.

Prompt treatment is the key to preventing cauliflower ear. Having an experienced health care provider drain the hematoma within 48-72 hours is important to prevent fibrous tissue from developing. The hematoma is recognizable because it will be painful, swollen, tense and, at times, red after a match or game.

Not all MMA fighters are susceptible to cauliflower ears, as many simply never form cauliflower ears, even after countless years of training.

Khabib Nurmagomedov, like many mixed martial artists, sports a rather distinctive look when it comes to his ears, and it's all down to a condition known as "cauliflower ear."

What percentage of wrestlers get cauliflower ears? ›

Oddly enough, it has even been reported in piano movers. We do not know exactly what percentage of people have cauliflower ears, but we know from one study that 39-45% of the wrestlers have this condition.

Cauliflower ear is a condition that results when the external portion of the ear suffers trauma that causes fluid or blood to collect under the perichondrium, a layer of connective tissue that covers the cartilage. The external ear becomes permanently misshapen and swollen, resembling a cauliflower.

Ice for 15-20 minutes at a time will help decrease swelling and pain. Your doctor may be able to numb the ear and remove the fluid with a needle and syringe.

Cauliflower ear occurs after someone gets a hit or repeated hits to the ear. Wrestlers and boxers are more likely to have cauliflower ear because their ears may be hit while they're in a match. These blows can damage the shape and structure of the outside of the ear.

As a result of being cut off from the perichondrium blood supply, the ear cartilage becomes ischemic, developing scar tissue, fibrous tissue, new cartilage overgrowth, or necrosis beneath the skin, resulting in a permanent alteration in the shape of the external ear resembling that of a cauliflower.

Cauliflower ear, a common sequela of auricular trauma, is best managed by prevention. The condition usually arises from chronic trauma and is associated with activities that predispose people to repeated auricular injury. The condition may be prevented by consistently using protective headgear during contact sports.

Most of the time, the blood needs to be drained from the outer ear to prevent damage to the cartilage. This should be done as soon as possible. If it is not done within one week, it may be too difficult to remove the blood. The doctor may prescribe antibiotics after the procedure to prevent an infection.

A lot of people think that having a cauliflower ear to be an awesome badge of honor. Whereas, showing off a pretty busted up ear deformed because of years of grappling can be macho, or attractive, and some do not. Whilst others seem to be impervious to this condition.

As a result, the outer ear becomes permanently swollen and deformed, resembling a cauliflower, hence the name. The condition is common in martial arts such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu, wrestling, boxing, kickboxing, judo, sumo, or mixed martial arts, and in full-contact sports such as rugby league or rugby union.

After the fluid has been fully aspirated out, it is imperative that this portion of the ear is compressed from each side so no further blood reaccumulates between the layers. This is where “the art” of treating this injury/condition comes in. There are numerous ways to pack/compress the ear after it has been drained.