Some outer ear injuries are minor scratches, cuts, or bruises that can be treated at home and do not need medical intervention. But sometimes, trauma can severely affect the external, visible part of the ear, also known as the auricle or pinna. While these injuries usually harm the internal ear or impact hearing, they are visible, sometimes painful, and commonly require treatment from a healthcare provider.
There are three common types of outer ear injuries:
- Cauliflower ear: Cauliflower ear result from two types of injuries: A hematoma, which is a buildup of blood and fluid beneath the skin covering the ear cartilage, or a seroma — a buildup of fluid in ear cartilage. These injuries create bumps on the ear that resemble cauliflower.
- Split earlobe: An earlobe can split gradually from unintentional tugging of an earring or the intentional dilation of the earlobe for “spacers.”
- Keloids: When skin is injured, excess scar tissue can create a keloid, a raised shiny area commonly found on the earlobe.
