Cauliflower ear, a type of dangerous injury to the ear

Any part of the body is at risk of being damaged by trauma from a hard impact. However, it turns out that this is more at risk of causing long-term damage if it occurs to the ear. Serious damage from impact to the ear often results in what is known as the disorder cauliflower ear.

What is that cauliflower ear?

This condition is a type of disability caused by blunt trauma directly to the ear area which can also cause disability of the earlobe and outer ear cavity. In medical terms, cauliflower ear known as perichondrial hematoma.

Wordcaulifloweritself means cauliflower. This condition is calledcauliflower earaka cauliflower ears because usually the shape of the deformity or swelling of the earlobe is similar to the shape of a cauliflower.

The condition of a hematoma or trapping of blood occurs in the area around the ear that has been traumatized. The trapping of the blood causes a buildup of clots of blood. As a result, there is an increase in pressure so that the blood flow around it is also disrupted and causes damage to cartilage tissue that does not receive adequate blood supply. Meanwhile, earlobe defects occur after the cartilage is cut off for some time.

1. Early treatment

Immediately apply a cold compress with ice if there is any sign of ear damage as soon as possible. Compress several times, each for 15 minutes. The cooling aims to prevent the swelling from getting worse and prevent any defects in the ear lobe.

Even though early treatment has been carried out further treatment to overcome blood clots may still need to be done. Immediately see a doctor if you are worried about certain symptoms.

2. Deal with blockages in blood flow

This is done by cutting a little part of the ear that is injured and removing the blood by suction so that the clogged blood can be reduced. Reducing the risk of infection in the ear and keeping the ear from experiencing additional trauma also needs to be done so that the process of restoring the ear to its original shape can run normally.

It is possible that damage to the earlobes can occur again, so monitoring for swelling in the injured area is still necessary.

3. Surgery

Surgery, which is also known as otoplasty, is a procedure to improve the appearance of the ears by removing parts of the ears that have been damaged or sewing to hold the ears together and reshaping the damaged leaves. Surgery results will be better after about six weeks.

Prevention of trauma to the ear

The best prevention against cauliflower ear is to use personal protective equipment, such as a helmet when doing activities in sports that risk trauma to the ears and head. Especially in children. If you have a child who practices martial arts, make sure your child understands any disorders or abnormalities in the ears when there is trauma to the head and ears.

Avoid using blood thinners when you are going to engage in sports that cause physical contact. Blood that is thinner can quickly worsen the condition of the hematoma and increase the risk of trauma to the ear.

Prevention and early treatment of trauma to the ear is very important to prevent cauliflower ear. Because the damage caused is permanent.