What
are they?
Sometimes on see tiny
white bumps on and around the lips, those bumps are called as Fordyce Spots.
They are painless and non-infectious and are more of a cosmetic concern than a
clinical disease. Fordyce granules can
be treated as same disease as Fordyce spot, the only difference is former
occurs inside the mouth while latter outside. Such spots and granules appear due
to what is known as ectopic sebaceous glands present within the mouth and on
the lips.They do not pose harm and are a normal occurrence in about 80% of
adults and the granules inside the mouth do not need to be treated.
As Fordyce granules and Fordyce spots on lips are usually painless, if you do experience pain or
swelling, it is better to consult a doctor or visit a dentist just to make sure
that it is not some other serious dermatological condition or oral disease.
The spots on the lips
which are 1-3 mm in diameter are white or yellow in color and are also known as sebaceous prominence because they are caused by oil-producing glands. These
glands are not linked with hair follicles and the lesions have no symptoms
except that they make individuals feel unattractive. However if they are
treated in improper ways they can itch and swell. So it’s not a good idea to try
exotic treatments. They usually appear in late age and are best if left alone.
Condition:
Unlike pimples which
are caused by bacteria that are trapped by sebum or oil, Fordyce spots, not
being associated with hair follicles are simply raised bumpy blemishes which
are painless, without any pus and harmless. In simple words, they cannot spread
to cause an infection.
Symptoms:
Men and women who seek
treatment are simply suffering from the anxiety of self-consciousness because
of the yellow or swelled look of the spots. Most physicians do not prescribe
any treatment to remove them, however in a few cases laser surgery has been done
successfully to some extent, which yields scarring.
The condition is also
called Fordyce’s Disease which is named after the American Dermatologist John
Addison Fordyce. The medical term forits appearance is known as ‘idiopathic’
because of its ambiguous and obscure cause. Its diagnosis is done by a visual
examination. There is some speculation that genetic factors may be involved but
there has not been conclusive evidence to support this.
Treatment:
Treatment if sought,
takes the form of tretinoin creams along with alpha hydroxides. However the
wait and watch approach is sometimes the best way to treat this asymptomatic
condition. It is also advisable to maintain personal hygiene and consume a
well-balanced diet including the vitamins A, C, D, B and K, along with plenty
of green-vegetables rich in micronutrients.
Coping
with Fordyce’s spots on lips:
Ultimately there are
some ways of coping with this condition. First one should keep an upbeat
attitude about the Fordyce granules or spots. Obsession with the spots will
lead to unnecessary depression and anxiety. It’s a good idea to talk with
others about this condition so that one can gain mental support and otherwise
regarding treatment etc. another way to cope with it is by reading everything about
the disease. Armed with knowledge one can seek proper advice from the right
sources.
