Fordyce Spots on Lips

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.

Causes:

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.

What are Fordyce Spots and how to get rid of them

Fordyce spots are granules on the skin which is relatively common among men than in women. It has been named after dermatologist John Fordyce. These spots are a natural occurrence on the skin and are sometimes mistaken for sexually transmitted diseases like genital warts etc. It is rather a benign dermatological condition which is not harmful. Despite not being harmful, these spots leave people feeling embarrassed and worried. Fordyce spots are also known as sebaceous prominence because they occur as a result of the sebaceous glands found on the penile shaft. These glands produce a substance called sebum which is responsible for keeping the skin of the penis moisturized and healthy. 

Causes

1. The sebum produced by the sebaceous glands passes thought the hair follicles. When the sebum is produced more than usual or the gland does not happen to have a hair follicle for releasing the sebum, it results in the accumulation of the sebum, thereby, small white spots.
2. Sometimes pimples are seen growing on sebaceous glands with a blocked opening and this also results in the lack of an essential route to escape.

Conditions

These are painless, pale and small spots or rather bumps, which are 1 or 3 mm in diameter. Fordyce spots are sometimes confused with pearly penile papules, genital warts or Angiokeratoma of the scrotum. 

1. Pearly penile papules are small bumps that show in the most regular place for Fordyce spots, i.e. the genital area. They look whiter in appearance and are simply skin outgrowths.
2. Fordyce spots are also mistaken for genital warts which are actually a kind of sexually transmitted disease. Unlike Fordyce spots, genital warts are very contagious.
3. Angiokeratoma of the scrotum are just as benign as like Fordyce spots and are the results of lesions on the outer layer of the skin. These appear in others areas of the body as well.

Symptoms

Common in men, Fordyce spots develop during puberty and sometimes persist with throughout life. They are neither contagious not dangerous and harmful. They are painless and simple penis pimples. They tend to appear when the body becomes sexually active and might last throughout one’s life.

Treatment

1. The Tretinoin gel or cream is very popularly used for Fordyce spots treatment. It has been reported that the prominence of the spots reduce after using this gel. Experts believe that it can be more effective if it is combined with an alpha hydroxyl acid agent.
2. Another treatment involves the Trichloroacetic Acid chemical peel.  This product helps in peeling off the skin on the spots. This in turn brings about a significant improvement in the look of the spot.
3. The doctor can also suggest the patient a cryosurgery. It uses cold temperatures to destroy the small bumps. But there is a possibility that this can damage the nerve and tissue of the area adjacent to the spots.
4. There are some home remedies too. Garlic in the diet can bring about a change in the spots.