Cauliflower Ear Symptoms

Randy Couture, does the name ring a bell? He is a former heavyweight champion. He is the first fighter who has held two Ultimate Fighting Championship in two different divisions, that is, heavyweight and lightweight. But, why am I talking about him when you are here to read about cauliflower ear symptoms? This is because it has had one of the ultimate symptoms of cauliflower ear. This is an external ear deformity that is commonly seen affecting wrestlers, boxers and other athletes like rugby players.

What is a Cauliflower Ear
Cauliflower ear is an outer ear problem that is acquired after constant battering or injury. There is a fold or lump in the ear that appears pale or white. This lump looks like a cauliflower that gives it the name cauliflower ear. This condition is very, very rare. One has to be constantly battered on the side of the head near or on the ear. These constant blows are usually seen in wrestlers and boxers. Even rugby players and similar athletes have found to be suffering from cauliflower ear. Similarly, people who are martial arts experts and receive a hard kick or punch to the ear can develop cauliflower ear. Sometimes, it is seen in car accident victims under rare circumstances.

But does one develop cauliflower ear after receiving a battery of blows? You see, when the ear is hit by a really hard punch, it causes a blood clot to develop under the skin. It may also result in shearing of the skin from the cartilage. The impact is so hard, that the connection between the skin and the cartilage is lost. The cartilage has only one option of blood supply, that is the skin. When there is a disruption of skin and cartilage connection, the cartilage cannot receive blood and nutrients. The blood begins to accumulate under the skin causing hematoma. When one does not receive any kind of cauliflower ear treatment, it results in the cartilage getting all shriveled up. This leads to a classic appearance of cauliflower ear. Gradually, the cartilage dies and there is no way to reconstruct it. In the end, the ear is left permanently damaged and deformed. Hematomas increase the risk of infection. Therefore, it is important to seek cauliflower ear treatment to prevent any major ear infection.

Symptoms of Cauliflower Ear
The first symptom of cauliflower ear is bleeding. When the ear receives repeated blows, the surrounding blood vessels are ruptured. This leads to internal blood leakage or bleeding. This blood begins to enter the tissues of the outer ear. Then, it begins to form blood clots that hinders blood supply as well as nutrient supply to the cartilage. The second symptom of cauliflower ear is blood clots. You will find blood accumulated in large amounts under the skin of the outer ear. Soon, you will see the third cauliflower ear symptom. This is redness, swelling and ear pain in and around the injured skin. This is the time one should seek immediate cauliflower ear treatment as it will help in prevention of a severe ear infection. When the blood colts pull away the skin from the cartilage, it begins to shrink the cartilage. Thus, you will observe the fourth symptom of cauliflower ear, that is, the puffy, pale cauliflower shape.

Cauliflower Ear Treatment
Once the cauliflower ear diagnosis is made by the appearance of swelling, redness, pain and puffy ear lobe, one needs to seek immediate treatment. The minute the boxer, wrestler, athlete, etc, realize they are showing the symptoms, they need to place a ice compress on the ear. This pressure on the ear will help reduce the bleeding in hematoma. Next, seek medical help as soon as possible. The doctor may make a surgical incision and drain the fluid accumulated in the ear. This draining of accumulated fluid should be carried out within 7 days of injury. The doctor will give one a local anesthesia and an expert otolaryngologist (ENT), will make an incision along the edge of the developed hematoma. Once the fluid is drained, the skin is replaced to its original place. Then, the injury is sutured and kept in situ for about 10 days. After, that the dressing is removed and cleaned. If required, a fresh dressing is applied for further healing. An over the counter pain killer is advised by the doctor to keep the pain in check. Antibiotics may also be prescribed as it will help reduce the risk of ear infections.

Cauliflower Ear Prevention
The best way to avoid cauliflower ear symptoms is to prevent an injury. You need to wear a recommended headgear or ear gear to prevent injury and repeated battering. Always make sure you are wearing protective gear when you are participating in a rugged sport. If at all one does receive an injury, seek immediate treatment remedy to prevent disfigurement and damage.

There is a high risk of deafness associated with repeated trauma to the ear. Therefore, medical help on time will help save one's hearing power. Prevention is the key and spotting the symptoms of cauliflower ear will help reduce the chances of disfigurement.