How to Treat Cauliflower Ears

Cauliflower ear, or auricular hematoma, is a condition that refers to the way ears swell up after physical trauma. When the ear is hurt, the perichondrium can separate from the auricular cartilage; blood fills into this space, giving the ear the appearance of a cauliflower. It's important that the condition be treated immediately so the blood doesn't harden and result in a more invasive procedure.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic bag
• Ice cubes
• Gauze
• Gauze clip or safety pin

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Instructions

• 1

  See a doctor immediately after your ear swells up. Request the blood to be drained out of your ear. It's important that this is done sooner rather than later since after a few days the blood hardens and is harder to drain.

• 2

  Wrap gauze around your forehead so that it covers your ear. Wrap several layers of gauze around the ear. The goal is to compress the ear, so the tighter it is the better. Secure the gauze with a clip or safety pin.

• 3

  Take the gauze off before taking a shower. Fill a bag with ice and place it over the ear for 10 minutes, and then shower.

• 4

  Reapply a gauze compression after you get out of the shower.

• 5

  Repeat steps 2 through 4 for two weeks.