What is cauliflower ear?
Cauliflower ear results from misshapen cartilage that forms after trauma to your ear. The medical term is auricular (or more specifically perichondrial) haematoma or seroma. Haematoma is a build up of blood whereas seroma is build up of serous fluid - like the fluid you get in a blister.
If not treated correctly the build-up can restrict blood supply which causes the cartilage to die and be replaced with a fibrous substance that calcifies and becomes permanent. This can occur from a single incident, usually blunt trauma or a shearing force from something being dragged over the ear, but it can gradually build up from repeated smaller traumas. The ear thickens and ends up hard and lumpy, somewhat resembling a cauliflower. It is also known colloquially as “wrestler’s ear”, “boxer’s ear”, “bat ear” and in Japan, “gyoza mimi - dumpling ear”!
The initial treatment for a small bruises or contusions is ice, avoiding further injury and possibly over-the counter anti-inflammatories, but where there is a significant pocket of fluid, it should be drained as early as possible. Due to the risk of infection, it is recommended that you get the ear drained by a medical professional, but so long as you take precautions, this can be done at home.
Here is a guide for DIY draining:
If left untreated, the ear can get infected and become necrotic, or the inflammation can spread to the ear canal resulting in permanent hearing loss, tinnitus and predisposition to ear infections.
The best way to deal with cauliflower ear is to avoid trauma to the ear in the first place by wearing appropriate ear guards or helmets and applying ice after every training session.
Prevention Solutions
The most effective way to prevent cauliflower ear is to protect your ears during training. Here are the products we recommend:
CauliCooler Cooling Headband with Gel Discs
Protect and cool your ears simultaneously. The gel discs reduce swelling and inflammation after every roll, helping prevent the fluid build-up that leads to cauliflower ear.
Shop Headband
CauliCooler Earguard
Purpose-built ear protection for grapplers and combat sports athletes. Shields your ears from the blunt trauma and shearing forces that cause cauliflower ear.
Shop Earguards
Treatment Options
Already dealing with cauliflower ear? Early treatment is key. These tools can help you manage and treat it at home:
Ear Magnets
Apply compression to a freshly drained ear to prevent fluid from re-accumulating. A simple, effective tool used by athletes and medical professionals alike.
See Treatment Options
DIY Draining Kit
Everything you need to safely drain cauliflower ear at home. Includes step-by-step guidance so you can act fast before the fluid hardens.
Get the Kit
See this article for a more in-depth explanation:
https://cornerstoneent.com/sports-related-external-ear-injuries-auricular-hematoma-cauliflower-ear