Ear Swelling

WHEN TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR

* Your ear swells following a blow to the head.

What Your Symptom Is Telling You

When world champion Killer Kowalski removed one of Yukon Eric's ears during a pro wrestling match years ago, his reputation took on a menacing new meaning. It's likely, however, that the damage had less to do with Kowalski's savagery than the poor condition of his opponent's ear.

According to Kowalski, Yukon Eric had an advanced case of cauliflower (or boxer's) ear. As a result, one boot to the head sent Yukon Eric to the hospital—ear in hand. ("All that was left was his earlobe," says Kowalski, who now runs a pro wrestling school in Reading, Massachusetts.)

You might think that only boxers and wrestlers get cauliflower ear. But the fact is that one sharp blow to the head may be all it takes—unless the injury is treated immediately.

"A blood clot develops in the cartilage," explains John K. Niparko, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. "If it's not removed, scar tissue will begin to form, causing the ear to thicken."

A number of things besides injury can cause ear swelling. Having your ears pierced can lead to infection and swelling in the earlobes. And it's possible to have an allergic reaction to certain metals—notably nickel or chromium—in earrings, says Margaretha Casselbrant, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and director of clinical research in the Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Yet another cause of ear swelling: a boil-like infection near the ear canal in people who have a tendency toward acne, says C. Warren Bierman, M.D., clinical professor and pediatrics chief in the Division of Allergy at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle.

Finally, swimmer's ear—a cause of ear pain and discharge—can sometimes result in swelling that can actually close the ear canal, says Stephen Harner, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

Symptom Relief

Because a blow to the ear that causes bleeding and swelling can lead to permanent damage, you should see your doctor for treatment right away. If there's a blood clot, it should be removed, as it can cause destruction of the cartilage, says Dr. Casselbrant. If your ear swells for any other reason, you can try these techniques.

Go soak. If you have an infection on your ear, add three tablespoons Epsom salts to a quart of warm water. Dip a clean washcloth into the solution and place it over the swollen area until the washcloth cools. Repeat this procedure four times a day.

Upgrade your jewelry. If your earrings seem to be causing an allergic reaction, try switching to silver or gold posts.

Put on some protection. If you engage in amateur wrestling or boxing, insist on protective headgear. "The use of headgear has dramatically cut the amount of cauliflower ear in young wrestlers," says Pretty Boy Larry Sharpe, a former pro wrestler who runs wrestling schools in Clementon, New Jersey; Baltimore and Tampa.