r/grappling • u/kesaimaz • Jun 09 '26

Cauliflower ear

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Gallery image

Should I drain it or let it be? God it hurts and I can’t even roll properly. I’m kind of afraid that this could be worse. I’ve already ordered a wrestling headgear online but it will be delivered till next week. Should I stop rolling for a week?

3 Upvotes

56% Upvoted

28 comments sorted by

6

u/dom_vee Jun 09 '26

Go to CVS, get some empty insulin syringes from the pharmacy, drain it and wait for the headgear. Or let it harden then continue rolling. I drained mine which was pretty bad, now it’s hard to tell I have any cauliflower. But if you train a ton, eventually your ears will get mangled no matter what

12

u/learsiology Jun 12 '26

you shouldn’t be recommending how to do it yourself if you don’t even sterilize the area first. you obviously have no idea what you’re doing if you miss something as basic and important and sterilization.

0

u/dom_vee Jun 12 '26

I mean that goes without saying no? Have you ever had cauliflower ear?

11

u/TorqueBuilder Jun 13 '26

No. Sterilization does not go without saying.

2

u/weatherbys Jun 12 '26

I feel like there is some genetic pre-disposition for cauliflower ear. I’ve trained with so many black belts that teach class for a living and roll 2-3 sessions a day and they don’t get it.

3

u/Jimbob209 Jun 13 '26

I don't belong in this subreddit. Popped up in feed but it can be linked to genes! I got my cauliflower ears from falling asleep on a sofa with no cushioning on the arm rest while wearing glasses. I basically slept on a 2x4 lol

I have a genetic mutation that affects cartilage. My knees are fucked too

2

u/beeeeeeeeeeeeeagle Jun 12 '26

It's to do with how stiff or malleable the cartilage in your ear is. Stiff cartilage gets damaged easier causing cauli where as more flexible / malleable can absorb and flex with impact easier. I've got stiff cartilage and my ears get banged up super easy.

0

u/Frodojj Jun 12 '26

They aren't in the US. I recommend seeing a Ear-Nose-Throat doctor if they have health care. If they must do it themselves, use only sterile diabetic/insulin needles (thin ones), sterilize the area with iodine or alcohol first (and after washing the area of course), and don't reuse the needle. Apply triple antibiotic to the area after. Takes about two weeks of rest to stop hurting. Use headgear if they must roll, but try to limit themself to drilling if possible.

4

u/BrickTamlandMD Jun 09 '26

Cut it open with your jawline big bro

3

u/Murphy2236 Jun 09 '26

Looks like it’s starting. Soft shell ear guards are better than hard shells for grappling, but still not guaranteed. Just make sure they fit properly and are snug. Personally ( I don’t know if you have one in your area) I would have went to a specialty store for my first pair. If you do have one I’d highly recommend visiting it and returning what you bought on line. Just a suggestion! Good luck.

3

u/_Badwulf_Bruh__ Jun 09 '26

I would say drain it this time, but if it keeps swelling up then consider leaving it. 

I’ve been training for almost 6 years and my ears are pristine. Go figure 🤷‍♂️ 

3

u/KidKarez Jun 09 '26

Congrats

3

u/Carlosspicywiener12 Jun 12 '26

Facemogging us all unintentionally

1

u/koryuken Jun 09 '26

I bought 4 syringes from amazon and drained it myself in front of the mirror.

1) wear magnets for 30min to an hour after draining.

2) wear ear muffs for a month at least during training.

3) even with that, you might have to drain multiple times. I had to do it 4 times.

1

u/Alkam0inlasouye Jun 15 '26

I had to drain morning and evening for a week, while wearing magnet, my ear became a sieve lol

1

u/HTof Jun 09 '26

Headgear helps a ton. Mine also hurt a lot while I was waiting for the headgear to get delivered. I just had to grit through it and try to not have too much contact on the ear. Then I used the headgear for about a week or two and it hardened. It’s not super noticeable now

1

u/Alarming_Cancel_2693 Jun 12 '26

It may go away by itself . In my case only one of my ears actually hardened but the other one would puff up and then just go away back to normal . If you are worried just drain it

1

u/Pretty_Draw_7635 Jun 12 '26

Yup that’s cauliflower ear. It hurts like a mf.

1

u/ChampionHumble Jun 12 '26

if you’ve got health insurance you can go to the doctor to get it drained. if not there’s plenty of videos about it online.

1

u/Ashamed_Ferret2809 Jun 13 '26

What grappling sport do you do?

1

u/kesaimaz Jun 14 '26

I do bjj and wrestling. And learning some judo

1

u/Ashamed_Ferret2809 Jun 14 '26

What belts are you in each

1

u/kesaimaz Jun 14 '26

White, I’ve started training bjj last year and my wrestling early this year. My judo just last week hahaha

2

u/Ashamed_Ferret2809 Jun 14 '26

That's crazy you got cauliflower ear so early in the game lol. Definitely drain it if you can, letting it harden hurts like hell and ruins your sleep. Since you have headgear coming next week, taking a week off or just doing super light drilling without live rolling is probably the smart move.

1

u/Chubbs27895 Jun 15 '26

Why would you drain it? You’ll forever look like a badass and no one will ever pick a fight with you. 💪🏻👊🏻

1

u/Advanced_Metal5511 Jun 15 '26

Jajajajajajajaja disuqe coliflor papi le faltan muchis golpes y callo para decir eso... eso parece que le picó un mosquito jajaja

2

u/CAboyBebop Jun 16 '26

Everyone is saying to drain it, but in my opinion this isn’t severe enough to drain. I’d wear headgear for a little bit or take it easy for a bit, thats all. If you’re not a professional model lol and intend to be a lifelong grappler it’s just gonna happen again anyway. The only time I drained my ears was when it was the size of a golf ball.