A question about cauliflower ear

[Nickeroon1987]

For about two years I've done BJJ, and after a year break, I'm back in it, but I'm doing 4-5 days a week, instead of roughly 2-3 days a week. I've never worn head gear and never experienced the swelling of my ears.

Now here's my question: is 2 times a week generally just not enough time on the mat in order to experience cauliflower ear, or does it depend more on the way you move? I find myself in the guard a lot more than rubbing my head up against people, so I'm not sure.

[HongKongFukYu]

For about two years I've done BJJ, and after a year break, I'm back in it, but I'm doing 4-5 days a week, instead of roughly 2-3 days a week. I've never worn head gear and never experienced the swelling of my ears.

Now here's my question: is 2 times a week generally just not enough time on the mat in order to experience cauliflower ear, or does it depend more on the way you move? I find myself in the guard a lot more than rubbing my head up against people, so I'm not sure.

I've wondered this myself. My understanding is that cauliflower ear is not due to how much time you spend with your ear on the mat, but actual traumu due to impact.

"If the external portion of the ear suffers a blow, a blood clot or other fluid may collect under the perichondrium."
From:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cauliflower_ear

That being said, I would definitely say you have a better chance of getting it based on how many days your training.

I think the trick is to get it treated immediately (I believe they drain it) by a doctor.

[Ridge]

I think the trick is to get it treated immediately (I believe they drain it) by a doctor.

Thats probably recommended, but alot of people do it themselves or get a friend to do it.

Also see
http://www.bullshido.net/forums/showthread.php?t=50713
http://www.bullshido.net/forums/showthread.php?t=50770
http://www.bullshido.net/forums/showthread.php?t=48407

[Longhorn]

it's due to instantaneous trauma. the more mat time you have, the more opportunity to get the trauma.

[wakinonioi]

Thats probably recommended, but alot of people do it themselves or get a friend to do it.

Well, a lot of 'people' take the same approach to getting tattooed.

[BackFistMonkey]

Well, a lot of 'people' take the same approach to getting tattooed.

Those types of humans aren't generally considered " people " . Tattoo artists themselves are exempt from this rule , but are not considered " people " for a whole different set of reasons .

[MALibrarian]

Just to reiterate what's already been said above, cauliflower just happens. I've seen someone inflate their ear on their very first roll. When in doubt, get it looked at by a doctor (you don't have to do what they say, but having the opinion is never a bad thing). Usually if I get major swelling I ignore my doctor and keep rolling, but I use headgear until the swelling goes down.

Good luck!

[Tom Kagan]

For about two years I've done BJJ, and after a year break, I'm back in it, but I'm doing 4-5 days a week, instead of roughly 2-3 days a week. I've never worn head gear and never experienced the swelling of my ears.

Now here's my question: is 2 times a week generally just not enough time on the mat in order to experience cauliflower ear, or does it depend more on the way you move? I find myself in the guard a lot more than rubbing my head up against people, so I'm not sure.

The genetics which determine the stiffness of the cartilage which gives your ear its shape is the determining factor in a person's propensity to develop cauliflower ear.


However, if you are worried about what your ears may ultimately end up to look like, why bother thinking about it when ear guards are not expensive?

[KurSe]

What ear guards do people recommend for bjj? I have the CK Twister and my training partners cry that my headgear is giving them cauliflower because they are too hard.

Also, a pharmacist wanted nothing to do with me when i asked him for needles when i first got cauli.