injures

If you are in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), there is a high chance you will deal with cauliflower ear. It is quite common in that combat sport, and in fact, 30-40% higher level belts deal with it in their career. What does cauliflower ear look like & Is it dangerous?

Yes, we agree, BJJ, MMA or wrestling creates a big impact on your body and there are lots of positive benefits of it as well, but there is a dark side too if you aren’t cautious – cauliflower ear.

Though it is an injury that requires serious kind of attention, it is a crown among professional BJJ, MMA or wrestling fighters too, as they believe it is a clear sign that you’re involved in BJJ, MMA or wrestling.

Cauliflower ear can appear due to many reasons.

However, mostly, it is associated with BJJ. If we say we have seen this injury mostly in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, it would be 100% correct.

This is mainly because many fighters don’t use the headgear. Their ears and head are exposed and constantly encounter brutal hits from their opponent. Consistent hard punches or kicks on the ear break the blood vessels inside the ear and cause it to deform.

Today, we have lots of ways to treat it. Some of them require immediate action, like drainage, and others are helpful when it comes to permanent deformities, like surgery.

This condition looks common, but can it be dangerous?

It is a common question that revolves around the mind of many people.

Yes, it can be dangerous. Apart from permanent disfigurement, there are lots of issue and side effects which you can face.

For example, it affects hearing. After pain, your ear feels stiff and you start to hear lesser than before. But, according to experts, this happens rarely. Usually, the cartilage die and the blood vessels break on the outer side of the ear. Hearing loss will happen only if the inner side of the ear, closed to the ear canal, will get damaged.

This is the only situation that causes ear damage. In some other cases, hard punches or kicks flood you with shock and affect your hearing. If there isn’t any damage to the ear canal, it will be temporarily and vanish within a few minutes.

Experts recommend instant consultation with a physician if you are dealing with hearing loss as a side effect symptom. Prompt treatment is necessary to resolve the issue, otherwise, it can be permanent as well.

Some people think that if you drain the cauliflower ear immediately, everything becomes great. Well, this isn’t always the case.

You get the stuff out and it looks fine, however, it won’t be the happy solution always. If it is still bleeding from the inside, you can deal with the swelling again. Furthermore, if you are not a professional, you can damage the condition even more.

The needle is inside your ear. It can indeed create scar tissue too. If you aren’t relying on the antibiotics, or if the professional hands aren’t treating you, the ear won’t heal.

You will, in fact, keep on draining it time and time again.

The cauliflower ear is almost always caused by blunt force trauma. In the medical term, it is known as ‘Auricular Hematoma’ too. It happens when the cartilage of outer surface of the ear is damaged. How to fix cauliflower ear? Luckily, there are many ways in treating it like drainage & compression.

We all perceive how boxers and wrestlers, particularly bjj fighters are at special risk for this injury. Since, they constantly deal with intense blows that lead to cauliflower ear.

However, the question is, can it be treated?

Before we shed light on this question, first it is pertinent to comprehend that it is not a disease which can be treated by some medicines. It is the deformation of the ear.

It is actually the look that changes as the outer surface of the ear swells and gives it a weird appearance. Though, professional fighters think it is an award that exhibits you have countless blows and tough fights in the rings, but in reality some fighters really want to get rid of it and wish to have the old, natural look of their ear.

So, the answer is, yes, it can be treated. But, it depends on many factors too. For example, there are a few questions that decide whether it is treatable or not (naturally).

• Is there any infection?
• Are there any other symptoms, like headache or ringing in the ear?
• Is it permanent deformity or you are trying to treat it right away after the injury?
• Are you an ideal candidate and in good general health?

Can you seek medical attention promptly?

It can be treated… Allow us to explain it in a few steps and conditions.

• Firstly, and most importantly, the timing of the treatment matters. According to Dr. Nicholas Rizzo, you should treat it within 24 to 48 hours. Since, after this time period, natural ways won’t work. You perhaps need to opt for surgery.

• The members of the Association of Ringside Physicians believe that you can prevent the permanent damage with a few simple steps, if the injury isn’t of extreme kind. Apply ice and use head wrap to exert mild pressure. It reduces the swelling effectively.

• Another simple method to reduce swelling is to take anti-inflammatory medicines. The best time to take them is right after the injury. You can also combine them with the ice and head wrap method in order to have quick results.

• In case you haven’t treated your cauliflower ear in the early stages, the only option you have is otoplasty surgery. It is a delicate surgical process that treats the permanent deformity of the ear. But, it is better to consult a professional doctor first before opting for this option, as he needs to examine the issue and the sensitivity of it in detail.

Cauliflower Ear condition isn’t just for athletes.

It can occur in non-athletes too.

Luckily, it is preventable if picked up early. There are lots of other ways that can assist in treating this issue like drainage and compression.

However, keep in mind, it shouldn’t be done without the consultation of a professional doctor, as they prevent the infection through antibiotics and make sure that your ear is healing in the correct shape as well.