Piercing migration

Migration is the process that occurs when a body piercing moves from its initial location. This process can be painful or go unnoticed, until it has progressed. Given enough time, an object may migrate entirely outside of theskin, although it may only migrate a small amount and come to rest.

Potential Causes and Effects of Migration

The effects of migration can vary widely. The most common form of migration is the way that heavy smallgaugeearrings will migrate downwards out of theearlobe, as is common in older women who have wornearrings most of their lives. This is known as the "cheesecutter effect", as it's action is easily compared to the method of cuttingcheesewith a fine wire. Contemporarybodyandear piercing jewelry is much more balanced in its weight to gauge ratio, although migration is still possible with heavy jewelry, even if it is of large gauge.

Play or movement of the area pierced or implanted can also lead to migration. Sometimes this can occur without an open wound being created, as thefistulastretches in one direction, and tissue fills in behind it. This is not uncommon withtongue piercings, although the migration usually stops before the jewelry would exit the body.

Damage to the tissue surrounding the piercing can also cause migration. A damaged piercing, like a fresh piercing must heal the fistula that it passes through, and the jewelry may start migrating in the direction of the wound, further tearing the fistula as it moves. Should the fistula heal, the migration may stop, although it may be inclined to continue migrating, as the re-healed area of tissue may not be as strong as the orginal fistula was.

Migration may also be caused by the body rejecting the material that the jewelry is made of. Like a splinter or other foreign object, the body will try to push out foreign material, especially if it irritates the surrounding tissue. Contemporary body jewelry is made from surgical grade implant materials, given proper aftercare during the healing phase and good hygene, this is rare.

Pressure, especially the pressure caused by improperly performedsurface,navelandeyebrow piercings often leads to migration. Proper, custom made jewelry can reduce the risk of migration associated with this type of migration although it cannot eliminate it. This type of migration is sometimes accompanied by rejection due to improperdrainagedue to the length of piercing, as deadtissue builds up in the healing fistula.