What is Cauliflower Ear?

If your ear becomes pale and shriveled, resembling the common dinner vegetable cauliflower, you may wonder what it is. And in the case you participate in high contact sports like wrestling and mixed martial arts, you probably have seen this ear injury at some point. It is the common deformity called cauliflower ear.

Cauliflower ear is a deformity of the outer ear. It is an acquired deformity and is often referred to as wrestlers' ear or boxer's ear due to the athletes in these sports commonly having it. The ear will be shriveled, bent, sometimes bumpy and pale in color. It resembles the vegetable cauliflower.

Cauliflower ear happens when the ear looses nutrients and the cartilage dies.  Most commonly this is due to blunt trauma to the ear. Hematomas will form in the ear and can cause infection. Along with the hematomas, severe hearing loss can occur.

Treatment of cauliflower ear usually focuses on the hematomas in the ear. Blood will be drained through an incision in the ear from the hematoma to cut the risk of infection. Antibiotics are often given to prevent future infection.  Cosmetic surgery to help restructure the ear and its appearance can be done.  However, due to the severity of most cauliflower ear cases, these procedures are unlikely. Cauliflower ear is typically permanent.

To prevent cauliflower ear, athletes should wear protective head gear. People who ride bikes or skateboards should also wear helmets in case of an accident that may cause trauma. If blunt trauma to ear does occur, a person should seek professional help from a doctor as soon as possible.