Even if you’re only sparring or practicing in a non-competitive setting, it’s still smart to wear a protective helmet.
You can purchase protective ear guards at most sporting goods stores, including stores whose inventory is dedicated to wrestling and martial-arts supplies.
Using a helmet will also prevent serious brain injuries and concussions. [5] X Research source
The cauliflower ear will be irreversible by the time the clotted blood in your ear dries. This may take as little as 2-3 days. [7] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Draining the ear will “deflate” the swollen cartilage and help the ear return to its normal shape. This may seem scary, but having your ear drained is a relatively quick and painless procedure. It will also help your ear return to a normal shape.
Ask the doctor how long you’ll need to wear the compress. They may ask you to keep it on for 3 or 4 days.
Ask the doctor how long you should leave the stitches in for, and if you can remove them yourself.
An infected cauliflower ear can lead to serious health conditions and may necessitate the ear’s eventual amputation.
If your ear is severely disfigured, your general practitioner may also refer you to a plastic surgeon to reconstruct the ear.
Some cauliflower ears need to be drained multiple times before the hematoma stops recurring. When cauliflower ear is treated quickly and aggressively, it usually does not cause permanent damage. If you delay treatment, however, there is a risk that insufficient blood flow to your ear may result in further damage or deformity.
