Cauliflower ears - how they form and how to get rid of them!
Regular physical activity can have a positive impact on both your mood and overall health. However, certain sports can put significant strain on the body, increasing the risk of injury and bodily harm. Combat sports and martial arts are prime examples of activities that often result in ear injuries, leading to a deformity of the ear known as cauliflower ear.
What causes cauliflower ears? What is a wrestler’s ear? Are boxer’s ears dangerous? How are cauliflower ears removed?
Table of Contents
Cauliflower ears - what are they?
Cauliflower ears, also known as wrestler’s ears or boxer’s ears, refer to a deformity of the external ear that is most commonly seen in athletes participating in contact sports like judo, MMA, rugby, wrestling, and boxing. This condition is caused by repeated trauma to the ear. The characteristic shape of a cauliflower ear is the result of a blood clot that forms due to injury, causing a hematoma around the cartilage, swelling, and deformity of the tissue.
When the injury to the ear is not severe, the deformation may be temporary. However, in experienced athletes who regularly engage in combat sports, changes in the cartilage are usually permanent.
Recommended supplements for athlets
What causes cauliflower ears?
Cauliflower ears result from recurring mechanical injuries or blunt trauma to the ear. These injuries cause the rupture of small blood vessels, which can lead to blood clots and hematomas. The swelling obstructs the supply of essential nutrients to the cartilage, ultimately causing tissue death, which triggers an abnormal growth of fibrous tissue and leads to the formation of the characteristic cauliflower shape.
Although this condition is most common among professional combat athletes, cauliflower ear can also develop after accidents, such as car, motorcycle, or bicycle crashes. Additionally, chronic ear infections or improper piercings of the upper ear cartilage can lead to similar ear deformities.
Wrestler's ear - symptoms and consequences
Cauliflower ear is easy to recognize due to its irregular shape and curvature. The deformity is typically accompanied by swelling and pain, and the skin around the damaged cartilage may change color. Symptoms include bruising, tenderness, warmth, and hardness in the ear, and in some cases, the formation of lumps or nodules.
Although the most common complications of cauliflower ears are purely aesthetic, boxer’s ears can also affect the athlete’s well-being. In some cases, the deformity leads to chronic pain, increasing the risk of additional injuries. Furthermore, wrestler’s ears can partially block the ear canal, leading to hearing problems and making the ear more susceptible to infections, which may present as fever, pus discharge, and intense pain. The deformity can also cause psychological discomfort and make it difficult to use hearing aids, headphones, or glasses.
Are boxer’s ears dangerous to your health?
Cauliflower ears are not an immediate threat to health, but neglecting the condition or improperly treating ear damage can lead to complications. These complications can cause not only physical discomfort but also lead to hearing loss or infections.
Cauliflower ears and hearing - can they damage your hearing?
The deformation of the ear caused by the characteristic cauliflower shape doesn’t directly impact the sense of hearing. However, the resulting changes can increase the likelihood of a partial blockage in the ear canal, interfering with sound transmission and negatively affecting hearing. Additionally, ear injuries can lead to a build-up of earwax in the outer ear canal, which may further contribute to hearing loss.
Cauliflower ears - how to prevent them?
To reduce the risk of developing cauliflower ears, it’s important to follow proper training protocols in contact sports, avoiding direct blows to the ears and using the safest techniques. Protective gear, such as special headgear, ear guards, or ear protectors, can also help mitigate the risk of ear injuries by absorbing impact.
Regularly checking the condition of the ears is another helpful preventive measure. Maintaining good oral hygiene and ensuring proper bite alignment can also help, as misaligned teeth can increase tension around the temporomandibular joint.
Cauliflower ears - in summary
Cauliflower ears are a deformity of the outer ear caused by trauma, most commonly seen in professional athletes engaged in contact sports like boxing, judo, and MMA. While they don't directly threaten health, they shouldn't be ignored, as they can lead to complications like infections or hearing loss. Symptoms of a wrestler's ears include swelling, pain, and discoloration.
The condition can be treated with drainage or surgery, but preventing it is the best course of action. Using protective gear and proper training techniques, along with supporting cartilage health through diet and supplements, can help minimize the risk of cauliflower ears.
Bibliography: