Lips are supposed to enhance a beautiful smile and general attractiveness. Lips do actually reflect a person’s health.
Bright lips suggest excellent health, whereas dull lips distract from a lovely face and its allure. Sick lips might signal underlying medical issues that require immediate medical attention.
In this post, we look into Fordyce Spots which are a common occurrence in both men and women. While they are most commonly seen on the lips, they may occur in other body parts.
Table of Contents
What are Fordyce spots?
Fordyce spots are little yellowish or white patches that may occur on your lips or the inside of your cheeks. Also known as Fordyce granules, They might appear as a single spot or in groups of 50 to 100.
Other sites where they can be found include the following:
- Esophagus, or the tube that travels to your stomach
- Penis’s shaft or head
- Scrotum
- Vaginal lobes
If you extend the skin around them, you can see them more clearly. As such, it’s easier to see Fordyce spots on the penis while having an erection.
In most cases, Fordyce spots will disappear on their own, and they do not pose a health risk. None of them is contagious. However, they might be irritating at times. If they are on the penis, they may bleed or cause discomfort during intercourse.
Causes
Fordyce spots can be caused by increased sebaceous glands and can arise at any age, regardless of gender. Nonetheless, they often appear during puberty amid hormonal changes).
They have nothing to do with HIV, herpes, STDs, genital warts, or cancer.
How to identify
Fordyce spots can seem like molluscum contagiosum, syringoma, sebaceous hyperplasia, milia, and other skin infections to the untrained eye.
Some people are concerned they have a sexually transmitted infection like genital warts if they notice them on their genitals.
A dermatologist with extensive knowledge and certification can provide a precise diagnosis just by seeing the lesions up close. They may do a biopsy in some circumstances.
They extract a little piece of tissue from the afflicted area and analyze it under a microscope in this technique.
Risk factors
Although the source of the spots remains a mystery, they can be connected to various skin conditions and other health problems.
Fordyce spots are more prevalent in males than in women, and they’re more likely to appear on oily skin.
Also, Fordyce spots around the lips and eyes have been linked to hyperlipidemia and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
How to get rid of Fordyce spots?
In most cases, Fordyce spots do not necessitate treatment. To eliminate the spots for aesthetic purposes, there are treatments available. Here are a few options to bring up with your physician.
Micro-punch technique
The doctor uses a pen-like instrument to “punch” the affected area. Because the process might be a little painful, anesthesia is typically used.
Electric desiccation
Electric desiccation can be used as a treatment option for those who just care about their appearance. Laser beams are utilized here to obscure the spots. This strategy has been shown to be effective in the past.
CO2 laser
The CO2 laser is often used to treat acne, scars, or stretch marks to remove the outermost skin layers, exposing your skin’s softer layers beneath. Swelling, UV sensitivity, and redness are all possible adverse effects. After an operation, it is common for the patient to require a few weeks to recover.
Pulsed dye laser
This is a common procedure to treat sebaceous gland hyperplasia, a skin condition that affects the sebaceous glands.
Prescription retinoids
In some cases, the use of isotretinoin capsules can be beneficial, especially in conjunction with laser therapy. However, long-term use of these medications is not recommended.
Topical creams
Combining trichloroacetic acid or bichloroacetic acid with laser treatment work best in treating Fordyce Spots
Photodynamic treatment
5-Aminolevulinic acid is used in conjunction with this technique. Dark patches, a burning sensation, and blisters may occur as side effects of this treatment.
You may have read ways to remove Fordyce Spots at home, however many of these at home remedies are scams and can actually be harmful. Please call us or schedule a consultation right on our website to meet with our team and find out the best treatment for your Fordyce Spots.
When to see a doctor?
Consult your doctor if you notice any white lumps on or inside your lips or cheeks. They’ll be able to tell if you have Fordyce spots or anything more serious, such as oral herpes or thrush, based on their examination.
It will be checked to see whether any bacteria or viruses are present. A negative result on the Fordyce spot test indicates that you probably have them.
Preventive measures
Many people have Fordyce spots since we all have sweat and oil glands on our skin. Fordyce spots in humans have yet to be linked to a specific cause. These are most often present at the time of your birth. As a result, there is no way to stop them.
Also, those with oily skin tend to have more of these spots. Controlling the excessive production of sebum might therefore assist in lessening their prominence and visibility.
A white area that is slightly elevated and rough should never be picked or burst. If the area becomes irritated as a result, it will be more difficult to get rid of.
Safely Remove Fordyce Spots with Trusted Dermatologist
Most people are born with Fordyce spots, which are harmless and occur in 4 out of 5 people. There is nothing to be concerned about. You can get them removed by a specialist if they give you any physical or aesthetic difficulty.
You should be aware of the possibility of scarring as a result of these treatments. Make an appointment with your dermatologist and go over the advantages and disadvantages of any procedure you’re thinking about.
Contact Team Dermatology for additional information about Fordyce spots and other common skin conditions.
