What Are Fordyce Spots?
Fordyce spots are enlarged oil glands that can show up on hairless parts of your skin. They're a normal part of the skin and are commonly found on the inside of your cheeks or the edges of your lips, and less commonly on the foreskin or other areas of your penis, or near your vaginal opening. They're named after John Fordyce, the dermatologist who first described them back in 1896.
While Fordyce spots may seem like something to be concerned about, they're harmless. About 70%-80% of adults have them. People assigned male at birth are most likely to have them.
Fordyce Spots Causes
You might have Fordyce spots at birth, but they generally become more noticeable at puberty. Your hormones can make them larger. They aren't caused by any disease or disorder.
Fordyce Spots Symptoms
Fordyce spots don't hurt, but some people say spots on the genitals can get itchy or inflamed during sex.
Fordyce spots can be:
- White, yellow, pale red, or the same color as your skin
- Single bumps or clusters of bumps
- In one or more areas of your skin
- Small, ranging from about 1 to 3 millimeters across, or no bigger than a sesame seed
- Found most often around the mouth, but also on the genitals (including the penile shaft, penile head, and foreskin, and on the labia, the folds of skin around the vaginal opening)
Stretching your skin makes them more obvious, so if they're on your penis, you might notice them more during an erection.
Spots under the eyes
While you might see something that looks like Fordyce spots under your eyes, that's not a common location for them. You might be seeing other harmless skin spots, such as milia, small white cysts that are most common in babies but can show up in adults as well. Other harmless bumps that can show up under the eyes are called syringomas. Those form in clusters and are caused by an overergrowth of sweat glands. A dermatologist can help you identify the kinds of bumps you have if they bother you.
Fordyce spots diagnosis
If you are pretty sure you have Fordyce spots and they aren't bothering you, there's no need to seek a doctor's opinion. But if you are worried or have new spots on your genitals, it's a good idea to check with a doctor to rule out other conditions.
Fordyce Spots vs. Warts
Sometimes, Fordyce spots are confused with genital warts. While Fordyce spots are a natural part of your skin, genital warts are caused by human papillomavirus, or HPV. The virus spreads through sex, oral sex, and sharing sex toys.
Most people with HPV have no symptoms, but some get warts. Symptoms include bumps that are:
- Single or in small groups
- Around your anus, genitals, or urethra
- Thin and flexible
- Like a cauliflower
- Flesh-colored, greyish, or red
You might have other symptoms with genital warts, including:
- Pain during sex
- Pain when you pee
- Burning
- Itching
- A bad smell
- Discharge
- Minor bleeding from spots after sex
If you have these symptoms, you should seek medical care.
Fordyce Spots vs. Herpes
Because Fordyce spots can show up on the mouth and genitals, you might worry they are herpes sores. But herpes is an infectious disease, caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Herpes sores don't look or feel like Fordyce spots. The symptoms can include:
- Crusty or fluid-filled sores on the genitals, around the anus, or in and around the mouth (cold sores)
- Tingling, itching or burning
- Fevers and swollen lymph glands
- Pain when you pee
If you have these symptoms, check with your doctor.
Fordyce Spots Treatment
Fordyce spots on your foreskin, lips, or anywhere else on your body are normal and harmless. You don’t need to treat them. Doctors often say it's best to leave them alone, unless they are affecting your self-esteem and confidence.
If you do find the spots distressing, your doctor might offer some treatments.
- Laser skin resurfacing: Lasers can be used to remove the spots. Risks include scarring and discoloration of the treated skin.
- Skin creams. Creams containing retinol or other ingredients may shrink or remove the spots over several weeks.
- Cryotherapy. Extreme cold can be used to freeze and destroy the spots. You might feel some mild pain for a few days after the treatment.
- Electrodessication. A special electric needle can burn away the spots. The area takes a few days to heal.
- Micro-punch surgery. A doctor can use a pen-like instrument to punch holes in your skin and remove tissue. The area can take a month to heal.
Home Remedies for Fordyce Spots
There are things you can do at home that might make your Fordyce spots less noticeable. But before you try them, check with your doctor to make sure you avoid anything that might cause an allergic reaction or other problems.
Home remedies that are generally safe include:
- Apple cider vinegar. To shrink your pores and dry up oil, try mixing 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 1/4 cup of water and applying it on your spots two to three times a week.
- Argan oil and jojoba oil. These oils contain vitamin E, which might increase blood circulation and make skin firmer. Apply the oil at least twice a day.
- Coconut oil. The glands in your skin may work overtime to produce oil when your skin is dry, making your spots more noticeable. Coconut oil can help by moisturizing your skin and reducing oil production.
Home remedies can take several weeks to show results.
One thing to avoid: squeezing the Fordyce spots. You might force out a small amount of an oily substance called sebum, but it won't remove the spots. Squeezing can cause inflammation and irritation.
Takeaways
Fordyce spots are harmless skin spots that might show up along your lip line, on your genitals, or elsewhere on your body. While you might find them worrisome, they aren't a sign of any health problem. But if you are bothered by the spots or think they could be something else, check with your doctor.
Fordyce Spots FAQs
Are Fordyce spots contagious?
No, you can't pass your spots to another person or get them from someone else. There's no reason to worry about transmitting them through sex, kissing, or any other activity.
Do Fordyce spots go away?
They may go away or fade over time. That's one reason doctors hesitate to treat them unless they are causing you distress.
