I think im starting to get some cauliflower ear. Its extremely faint, but i can tell there is some minor swelling on my right ear. my girlfriend happens to be an audiologist and works with an ear, nose and throat doctor, and from what she is telling me, I HAVE to get it drained or it will continue to get worse. On top of that, the dr said no jiu jitsu for 2 weeks after i get it drained. I would like to hear any feedback from anyone who has had this problem. Will it go away on its own or do I have no choice? I am very against getting it drained right now, because im doing the NAGA in 2 weeks and do not want to miss that.

Whereas I don't have a medical diploma on the wall that qualifies me to answer your question, I am a pretty dumb wrestler with some knotted up ears. Also, Danny Valle likes to make fun of my ears. He told me today that if I ever fell off a building I would float like a feather because my ear sticks out so far. He thinks he's funny.

Anyway, to answer your questions: Cauliflower ear will not go away on it's own, and every time you bump it or hit it it gets softer and more full of blood. If you are competing, you need to wait until after the tournament because you do need to stay away from contact for a while after you get it drained.
Yes, you need to get it drained. Then, you need to keep it splinted so that the skin layers reattaches itself to your ear cartilage. This takes like 5-10 days after you drain it and depending on how severe of a case you've got, it may need to be drained again.

I'm experiencing this now, and it sucks. However, Maggie seems to be having fun draining my ears, she's good with needles. I only hope I find a good enough splinting technique to assist the healing process. I might have to wrap my head. If anyone has any good ideas for a good ear splint, please post.

That's enough, goodnight.

I have seen docs sew a button on both sides of the ear to splint it,I have used a clip that holds paperwork together and some cardboard to lessen the pinch and increase the surface area that is covered.

Just had cauliflower ear drained 2 weeks ago, had to have it stitched up, not that much fun. As long as you don't hit it or pretty much touch it while its healing it should heal up ok (assuming it wasn't too bad to begin with). I now have to wear headgear during rolling, went to first class back couple days ago and wasn't too bad, kind of uncomfortable but would rather have that than going through whole process again (which i probably will eventually anyway).

In terms of your tournament, really up to you how much you value your ear haha. If you wait 2 weeks, chances are its going to get much worse and start to harden, in which case they will need to make an incision to cut out the mass and the chances of your ear looking back to normal decrease significantly. If you ask any doctor they will tell you the same thing, all up to how much you weigh the ear vs. this one tourney. Good luck.

I also said that he has to be very careful, if he leaves his house on a windy day, is ear will catch a stiff wind and send him flying in the wind!

Why is everyone acting like cauliflower ear is a bad thing? I like mine and consider it a badge of honor... but if you dont want it keep getting it drained when it swells up and wear headgear when you train. most of the newer headgears on the market will keep alot of the pressure off of your ear, Danny's idea of using the clip is a very good one. Ask the dr if there are any clips that he could prescribe made specially for your ear. I go my cauliflower ear in High school and the dr was trying to get me a surgical grade clip on earring type of thing it was oval shaped and would have fit the shape of an ear.