Im talking about the outer part of your ear, the part you can see. I hot hit in the side of my head with a shovel (dont ask lol) and my upper part of my ear has been swollen for the past few days. It hurts to touch and is a pain wearing helmets. I dont think its possible to break your ear but i was just wondering.
p.s. - it doesnt seem to be bruised.
2006-11-19 17:34:04 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
Cauliflower ear occurs after someone gets a hit or repeated hits to the ear. Wrestlers and boxers are more likely to have cauliflower ear because their ears may be hit while they're in a match. These blows can damage the shape and structure of the outside of the ear.
For cauliflower ear to form, the ear has to be struck hard enough for a large blood clot (lump of blood) to develop under the skin. Another way cauliflower ear can happen is when the ear's skin is stripped away from the cartilage, the flexible material that gives a normal ear its shape
If someone receives a sharp blow to the ear, there are ways to prevent cauliflower ear. A doctor can drain the blood from the ear through a cut and then reconnect skin to the cartilage by applying a tight bandage. Sometimes stitches are needed to sew the ear if the skin is badly ripped. The doctor may sometimes give the patient antibiotics to prevent an infection. If it's caught and treated early enough, a person usually will not get cauliflower ear.
2006-11-19 17:42:28 · answer #1 · answered by shell_b_101 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The external ear is called the pinna and consists of a soft cartilage covered by skin. Though your case doesnt seem to be a broken ear cartilage there is a possibility that the cartilage could actually 'break' but more often it gets torn so we dont call it a broken cartilage. Its termed as a torn cartilage.
Dont worry, your ear simply seems to have a bit of blood clot in it. The external ear has a lot of blood supply (that is why we blush) and is also very very pain sensitive (that is why it hurts badly when someone twists your ear). A cold compress with some OTC anti-inflammatory like Advil along with an antacid gel (to prevent acidity due to Advil) should do the trick. Give it some time bud, it will settle.
Hope that helps
Rgds
Lex
2006-11-19 17:59:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The auricle, the outer ear, is made up of cartilage and yes, cartilage, like bone, can be fractured. It can be fractured and it can be torn. Because cartilage is more flexible than bone, a fracture is less common. Use ice packs on your ear, avoid headphones, cell phones and other pressure against the affected ear. It's very good there's no bruising. If you see no lessening in the swelling in 3-4 more days, let your primary provider take a look at it to rule out fracture or hematoma.
FYI: I would not accept the diagnosis of a doctor (lex_ic0n" who says you have a blood clot) who has never laid eyes on you or your ear.
2006-11-19 18:11:08 · answer #3 · answered by TweetyBird 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no...u cant break ur ear. its not bone or anything very hard and fragile. its cartilidge. the most durable substance in your body. tahts why its soo flexible. you probably just smacked it really good and its still irritated. thats why its swollen. try putting an ice pack on it to reduce swelling. so no u didnt break ur ear.
2006-11-20 08:42:30 · answer #4 · answered by stefanie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, i don't think it's possible to brake it since it's cartilage. you can have hurt it real bad that is why you have pain. just try putting ice to reduce the swelling, if there is any.
2006-11-19 17:38:06 · answer #5 · answered by ASHLEY 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't "break" your ear because there are no bones, but you can damage the cartilage. You should check with a doctor...
2006-11-19 17:36:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anne 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think it is not possible .
2006-11-19 17:42:41 · answer #7 · answered by Chong Sian C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋