Cauliflower Ear

Introduction

It can be jarring to see a cauliflower ear for the very first time, but it can be even more surprising to learn that this grotesque shape is a symbol of athletic prowess, strength, and countless hours of hard work. Some people, like professional boxer Bo Nickal, have even aspired to have such an ear shape from a young age. However, do not be mistaken; a cauliflower ear is still a painful injury, and it can cause serious long term effects. To fully understand this injury, we must look into its causes, its remedies, and its significance in the athletic world.

What is a cauliflower ear?

Cauliflower ear, also known as wrestler's ear (or professionally perichondrial hematoma), is an outer ear injury caused by direct impact, which in turn causes blood or other fluids to fill and expand ear cartilage. The clotting of these pools of blood leads to the ear being deprived of the necessary nutrients, killing the cartilage and turning it into a hard and fibrous substance that folds upon itself, thus giving the ear its iconic deformed shape. It’s also most common in athletes of combat sports or rugby due to their high likelihood of receiving blows to the ear. However, non-athletes can also get cauliflower ear, whether from fights, earlobe infections, or complications regarding piercings in the upper cartilage.

Treatment

There are many preventive measures and treatment options for every stage of injury, such as protective metal ear protectors to prevent impacts to the ear. Even if ear protectors are unavailable or neglected, a doctor can perform tests such as a CT scan or a neurological evaluation in order to determine if the injury is present post-impact before any swelling even starts. The sooner professional help is sought, the less of a chance a person has of developing cauliflower ear. Generally, it’s important to ice the area as soon as possible, preferably in 15-minute cycles. If swelling occurs, doctors may pierce the cartilage and drain the area or even insert a temporary drain. If too much time elapses between impact and treatment, surgery may be the only option to prevent scarring and permanent deformation.

Athletic Significance

Cauliflower ear has existed as a symbol of strength and power for centuries now; the ancient Romans often depicted Hercules with such a pair of ears, and gladiator statues from ancient Greece sported a similar set of swollen cartilage. Today, in the MMA world, they are often seen as a rite of passage for aspiring fighters and are greatly valued despite the painful experience they cause. They’re indicators of the intense training that MMA athletes undergo and are testaments to their brute force they've earned in their combative journeys.

Long-term Effects

If cauliflower ear is left untreated, the most major long-term effect is usually simply cosmetic. However, people with cauliflower ear also tend to have a slightly higher risk of hearing loss, since the swelling could potentially partially block the ear canal and make it harder to hear.

Conclusion

A cauliflower ear is painful and leaves a person’s ear cartilage permanently deformed, but it is easily preventable through the proper use of protective gear and rapid action towards mitigation. Despite that, the scar is highly coveted by MMA athletes as evidence of their hard work and unwavering resilience in the face of such pain. Though the damage is most often superficial, a cauliflower ear can result in hearing problems later in life, though this certainly won't stop the toughest of fighters from giving it their all on the battlefield.

Sources

“Cauliflower Ear.” Causes & Treatment | Nationwide Children’s Hospital, www.nationwidechildrens.org/conditions/cauliflower-ear Accessed 10 Apr. 2024.

“Cauliflower Ear: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments.” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/cauliflower-ear-symptoms-causes-treatments. Accessed 10 Apr. 2024.

Hockensmith, Ryan. “The Beautiful and Grotesque Honor of Cauliflower Ear.” ESPN, ESPN Internet Ventures, www.espn.com/mma/ufc/story/_/id/39881399/cauliflower-ear-ufc. Accessed 10 Apr. 2024. 

Patel, Bhupendra C. “Cauliflower Ear.” StatPearls [Internet]., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 28 Aug. 2023, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470424/. Accessed 10 Apr. 2024.