Fordyce Spots

What are Fordyce spots?

Fordyce spots (Fordyce granules) are enlarged, slightly raised sebaceous (oil) glands that appear in hairless areas of your skin. They commonly appear around the edges of your lips (vermillion border) and inside of your cheeks. They sometimes appear around your genital area. Fordyce spots are benign (not cancerous).

American dermatologist Dr. John Addison Fordyce first described Fordyce spots in 1896.

What is the difference between Fordyce spots and herpes?

You may be alarmed to notice Fordyce spots around your mouth or genital area, including your:

• Penis, including the head (glans), shaft or foreskin.
• Scrotum.
• Vulva, including the labia.

But Fordyce spots aren’t sexually transmitted diseases or infections (STDs or STIs). The appearance of Fordyce spots in these areas is normal, and they aren’t contagious.

Genital herpes is an STI caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). People with genital herpes develop painful blisters on their genitals. They can spread herpes through vaginal, oral and anal sex. They can also spread herpes through kissing or skin-to-skin contact if they have open sores. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) can cause cold sores to form on the lips, gums, tongue and inside of your mouth.

What is the difference between Fordyce spots and warts?

Fordyce spots aren’t STDs or STIs, and they aren’t contagious.

Genital warts are an STD caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). People with genital warts develop small bumps or growths in and around their genitals and rectum. Genital warts and HPV are both highly contagious.

As genital warts initially develop, they may look like Fordyce spots. If you notice the sudden appearance of small bumps on your genitals, it’s a good idea to see a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis.

Who do Fordyce spots affect?

Fordyce spots affect everyone. They typically don’t appear during early childhood. They become more noticeable during puberty and adulthood as some of your hormones increase. Men and people assigned male at birth develop Fordyce spots about twice as often as women and people assigned female at birth.

How common are Fordyce spots?

Fordyce spots are very common — 70% to 80% of adults have Fordyce spots.

What are the symptoms of Fordyce spots?

Fordyce spots look like white, yellow, pale red or skin-colored bumps. They may appear as a singular spot or small groups of spots, but they can also appear in clusters of 50 spots or more. They’re easier to see if you stretch out the surrounding skin.

They’re small — typically 1 to 3 millimeters (mm) in diameter, which is about the size of the tip of a sharp pencil (1 mm) or a sesame seed (3 mm).

Fordyce spots don’t cause any pain, but there have been some reports of Fordyce spots on the penis becoming itchy or inflamed during sex.

What causes Fordyce spots?

Some researchers suggest that you may have Fordyce spots at birth. They become more obvious during puberty and into adulthood as your hormones start changing.

Are Fordyce spots contagious?

Fordyce spots aren’t contagious, and you can’t get Fordyce spots through skin-to-skin contact. You don’t need to take extra steps to protect your partner while kissing or during sex if you have Fordyce spots around your lips, inside of your mouth or on your genitals.

How are Fordyce spots diagnosed?

Fordyce spots are easy to recognize, so you don’t necessarily need a healthcare professional to diagnose them. However, if you notice spots or bumps on your genitals, schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider or dermatologist to rule out an STD or STI.

Can you get rid of Fordyce spots?

Though Fordyce spots are common, benign and don’t necessarily need treatment because they usually go away over time, you may not like how they look on your body. Some procedures can remove them or reduce their appearance.

What treatments are used?

Your healthcare provider may discuss the following Fordyce spot treatment options with you:

• Cryotherapy: Cryotherapy uses extreme cold to freeze and destroy tissue. After cryotherapy, you may experience mild pain in your affected area for approximately three days.
• Electrodessication: Electrodessication involves using a special electric needle to burn away portions of your skin. Your affected areas may take three to five days to heal.
• Laser skin resurfacing: Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser skin resurfacing uses short-pulsed light energy or continuous light beams to remove thin layers of skin with minimal heat damage to the surrounding structures. Your affected areas may take between five and 21 days to heal.
• Micro-punch surgery: Your healthcare provider will use a pen-like instrument to “punch” your skin and remove tissue during micro-punch surgery. Your affected areas may take up to a month to heal.
• Topical treatments: Topical creams, including retinoids like Retin-A®, may reduce or eliminate your Fordyce spots. It may take two to six weeks to see results.

Are there any home remedies for Fordyce spots?

Many home remedies may help reduce or remove the appearance of Fordyce spots on your body.

However, while home remedies are safe for most people, it’s a good idea to check with your healthcare provider before trying some of the following options. You may be at risk of developing an allergic reaction on your skin.

• Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar has astringent properties that make your pores shrink and dries up oil. Mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 1/4 cup of water and apply it to your Fordyce spots two to three times a week. You may see results after four to six weeks.
• Argan oil and jojoba oil: Argan oil and jojoba oil contain vitamin E. Vitamin E is full of antioxidants that can increase blood circulation and make your skin firmer. Applying argan oil or jojoba oil to your Fordyce spots at least twice a day can reduce the size of your Fordyce spots after approximately four weeks.
• Coconut oil: Your sebaceous glands may overproduce oil when your skin is dry, which can make your Fordyce spots appear more noticeable. Applying coconut oil to your Fordyce spots can moisturize your skin and reduce oil production.

Squeezing Fordyce spots won’t make them go away. You may squeeze out an oily lubricant called sebum, but you’ll likely cause irritation or inflammation.

How can I prevent Fordyce spots?

Fordyce spots occur on your body naturally. If you don’t like the way they look, you may be able to minimize them and prevent other skin issues by sticking to a proper skin care routine, including washing your skin with warm water and mild cleansers or soaps and routinely using a moisturizer.

What can I expect if I have Fordyce spots?

Fordyce spots are benign (not cancerous).

Fordyce spots aren’t an STD or STI, and they don’t cause any harm.

If you don’t like how your Fordyce spots look, talk to a healthcare provider to discuss how you can reduce or remove them.

When should I see my healthcare provider about my Fordyce spots?

See a healthcare provider if you develop Fordyce spots in your genital area to confirm that they aren’t an STD or STI. You and your healthcare provider can also discuss medications or treatment options.

What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?

• How can you tell that I have Fordyce spots and not a similar-looking condition like basal cell carcinoma, milia or epidermal inclusion cysts?
• Why are my Fordyce spots so noticeable?
• Will my Fordyce spots become more noticeable anywhere else on my body?
• How do I minimize my Fordyce spots?
• What medications or treatments do you recommend?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Though Fordyce spots are harmless, don’t hesitate to contact your healthcare provider if you think something is wrong with your skin or if you have any skin-related questions. Even if you’re concerned for cosmetic reasons, you should still take care of your skin and be aware of any changes. You know your body best, but your healthcare provider can properly diagnose any signs or symptoms and offer the best treatment options.