From the Guidelines
Ear cartilage doesn't bleed much because it has a very poor blood supply compared to other tissues in the body. The cartilage tissue that forms the outer ear (pinna) is avascular, meaning it contains no blood vessels within its structure. Instead, it receives nutrients and oxygen through diffusion from blood vessels in the surrounding perichondrium, a thin layer of connective tissue that covers the cartilage. This limited blood supply explains why injuries to ear cartilage typically produce minimal bleeding. However, this same characteristic also means that cartilage heals slowly and is more susceptible to infection when injured, as the body's immune response is hampered by the reduced blood flow to the area. Some key points to consider when dealing with ear injuries or piercings include:
- The perichondrium itself has some blood vessels, which is why you might see some bleeding with deeper injuries, but it's significantly less than what would occur in well-vascularized tissues like the earlobe, which contains fatty tissue with good blood supply 1.
- Proper care is essential to prevent complications like perichondritis, an infection of the perichondrium that can lead to cartilage damage, and can be treated with fluoroquinolone antibiotic treatment, such as ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin 1.
- The risk of infection and other complications, such as auricular perichondritis and perichondrial abscess, is higher in the first month after piercing, especially during warm-weather months 1.
From the Research
Ear Cartilage and Bleeding
- The ear cartilage receives its nutrients from the overlying perichondrium, which is a layer of connective tissue that surrounds the cartilage 2.
- The perichondrium plays a crucial role in supplying blood to the ear cartilage, and damage to this layer can lead to complications such as perichondritis and necrosis 2.
- The ear cartilage itself has a limited blood supply, which may contribute to the relatively low amount of bleeding that occurs when it is injured 2.
Blood Supply to the Ear
- The ear has a rich blood supply, with a network of vessels that provide oxygen and nutrients to the surrounding tissue 2.
- However, the blood supply to the ear cartilage is limited, and this may help to explain why it does not bleed much when injured 2.
Complications of Ear Trauma
- Untreated auricular hematoma can result in complications such as perichondritis, infection, and necrosis 2.
- Cauliflower ear may result from long-standing loss of blood supply to the ear cartilage and formation of neocartilage from disrupted perichondrium 2.
- External ear traumas can also lead to complications such as auricular perichondritis and auricular laceration, which require prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent long-term damage 3.