Are you new to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? Do you know what cauliflower ear is? It’s a frightening situation, particularly for people who are new to these martial arts. Even experienced grapplers may find it difficult, mainly if they solely practice jiu-jitsu for fitness.
The fact that instructors seldom discuss cauliflower ear makes it much more challenging to comprehend. So, just what is cauliflower ear? It’s a disease that happens when the ear is struck or rubbed repeatedly, causing it to enlarge and alter its form.
This article will discuss the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of the cauliflower ear in BJJ and other contact sports. Stay tuned!
What’s a Cauliflower Ear?
Cauliflower ear refers to an ear deformation. It may occur due to a close contact injury in combat sports training, including Brazilian jiu-jitsu, boxing, muay Thai, and wrestling.
The grappler ear’s cartilage undergoes a deformity (bruised ear), and the ear seems injured.
Besides, when the ear’s cartilage is injured by inflammation, the blood supply from the skin is disrupted, often forming an out-sized pocket of blood, called a hematoma. Thus, the ear appears pale, giving it a cauliflower appearance.
BJJ Cauliflower Ear Causes
Practicing combat sports may induce cauliflower ear, including Brazilian jiu-jitsu, wrestling, Judo, Mixed Martial Arts, and Boxing.
This results from the close contact among practitioners during training and sparring.
Otherwise, the cauliflower ear has become traditional among some jiu-jitsu fighters and martial artists.
Therefore, many grappling fighters have it, including Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Felipe Pena, and many more.
Jiu-Jitsu Cauliflower Ear Symptoms
Plenty of Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighters have experienced the cauliflower ear during a fight or while rolling.
You’ll discover a change to the shape of your ear, and therefore the blood begins to pool around the injured area. Congratulation! You got a cauliflower ear BJJ.
So, you need to drain your ear. If not, it can cause several symptoms, including ringing in your ear, deafness, blurred vision, ear pain after or while sparing, swollen ear cartilage, deformity of the ear curvature, and headaches.
It’s essential to catch the starting signs of cauliflower ears which will protect you from other complications. Also, it helps to stop the ear’s deformity and to remain safe from other inflammations.
Sometimes, this ear trauma may cause savage damage, and medical attention is needed immediately. Stay safe!
Treatment and Draining of Cauliflower Ear BJJ
The treatment of cauliflower ear in jiu-jitsu martial arts prevents permanent damage to the ear’s cartilage by cleaning and draining the hematoma.
So, eliminate any infection, and reduce inflammation to re-establish the connection of the skin to the underlying cartilage.
Preventing the Cauliflower Ear in BJJ
Cauliflower ears protection is essential for all grappling fighters in high-risk combat sports.
One of the solutions to prevent the cauliflower ear BJJ is wearing headgear during matches and sparring. And kids always need to wear protective gear when participating in jiu-jitsu martial arts.
Otherwise, BJJ and other combat sports coaches must understand the primary signs of the cauliflower ear and the importance of seeking immediate medical attention.
Here is a helpful video about how to avoid cauliflower ear by coach Firas Zahabi
Conclusion
The cauliflower ear is a frequent injury among Brazilian Jiu-jitsu practitioners. It is caused by repetitive damage to the ear and, if left untreated, may result in lifelong malformation.
Using ear protection or headgear throughout training and competition is the most excellent approach to avoiding cauliflower ear. But getting treatment as soon as possible is critical if it occurs.
In addition to avoiding cauliflower ear, it is essential to consider additional safety precautions while training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Related: Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu is one of the most remarkable grappling martial arts to learn. Therefore, I’ve created a lengthy post on how to begin practicing jiu-jitsu correctly. Click here to read more!
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Get Cauliflower Ear?
You’ll get a cauliflower ear when you frequently engage your ear in the game during a close combat fight in wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, or boxing. As a result, the ear gets a specific form, like a cauliflower.
Does Cauliflower Ear Hurt?
The cauliflower ear hurts greatly in the first weeks of its formation, so you feel insupportable pain when something touches your bruised ear. Therefore, you must prevent close contact during grappling training sessions and while rolling.
Is Cauliflower Ear Dangerous?
In most situations, the cauliflower ear is not dangerous. Still, you have to drain it from time to time to eliminate any infection and reduce inflammation to re-establish the connection of the skin to the underlying cartilage.
