Health & Care Information Read about Fordyce Spots Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Home Remedies. Fordyce spots contagious. Fordyce spots on lips and itching.
It is a skin issue that influences both men and ladies of all ages. The condition has been named after an American dermatologist, John Addison Fordyce (1858-1925). This infirmity is likewise known by numerous different names like:
- Sebaceous prominence
- Fordyce granules
- Fordyce’s condition
- Angiokeratoma of the scrotum
These spots are generally large, superficial sebaceous or oil-producing organs seen on the moist tissues which line a few organs and in addition body cavities or mucosal surfaces. These sebaceous organs are not related or connected with follicles of hair.
These sebaceous organs are not related or connected with follicles of hair. These are painless, small, pale spots or bumps (skin color, yellowish or pinkish) of 1 to 3 mm in diameter. These bumps are safe, however are regularly a major concern for cosmetic reasons.
Fordyce spots can show up anytime in life, however the rate of appearance increases with age, with the biggest prevalence in elderly patients. What’s more, these spots are generally found in groups of 50 to 100 spots as opposed to isolated ones.
Fordyce Spots Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Home Remedies
Let’s review Fordyce Spots Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Home Remedies.
Symptoms of Fordyce Spots
Fordyce spots are asymptomatic and can be found on the:
- Head of the Penis (in males, where these spots are specifically referred to as Tyson’s glands)
- Shaft of the penis (in males)
- Inner fore skin of the Scrotum (in males)
- Labia (in females)
- Where the lips on the face meet the skin of the face (vermilion border)
- Back portions of the inner cheeks
- Inside the mouth including tonsils
- Retro-molar mucosa or inside the lips
- Multiple painless papules are seen.
Despite the fact that these lesions are asymptomatic, however itching or irritation may happen if individuals treat the bumps improperly.
Causes of Fordyce Spots
Fordyce spots develop on the skin due to the trapped sebum or oil of the skin. Sebum is defined as the skin’s natural oil. Normally, the skin is able to secrete this oil from the sebaceous gland, into the hair follicle, going to the hair shaft.
In the case of Fordyce spots, the oil or sebum cannot get out of the sebaceous gland because there is no hair on the skin. This causes trapping of sebum into the sebaceous glands, and further results to appearance of bumps. Other possible causes are:
- Due to genetic factors
- Most commonly appears in puberty
Unlike in the case of pimples, Fordyce spots are not caused by bacterial infection to the skin. This is why these bumps or spots do not cause pain, itchiness or pus. Contrary to the false belief, it is not contagious or cancerous. So, it cannot be passed on through sexual intercourse. It may even be obtained by someone who does not have sexual contact with others.
Treatment of Fordyce Spots
Fordyce spots are characteristic physiologic occurrence and are normally self-constraining; which means, it will resolve itself. That is why medical treatments may not be necessary. In fact, there are no known routine medications or surgical intervention specific for the condition. However, if it does bother the patient then various medical treatments are available to fade out its presence. A number of methods of treatment will be discussed below:
Laser management
Electro desiccation or CO2 laser have been used with some degree of success in making the spots less visible, if the patient’s concern is purely cosmetic. Another more sophisticated laser management would be the utilization of pulse dye lasers. Although, this mode of treatment is higher in cost than electro desiccation, it has considerably shown to be more effective. Moreover, pulse dye laser leaves no scar after the procedure.
Pharmacological approach
There are also pharmacologic methods of treatment available for patients who opt to use medical aid in the resolution of fordyce spots. One of which is a chemical peel called trichloroacetic acid. Another pharmacologic approach that may be recommended is the administration of tretinoin cream or gel.
Surgical Intervention
Cryosurgery is an option to treat Fordyce spots. This procedure involves destruction of bumps using cold temperature. However, this method can cause damage to tissues and nerves present in areas surrounding the spots
Home Remedies for Fordyce Spots
Some home remedies are observed to be viable against these spots. Following are some of the home remedies to cure these spots:
Simple Dietary Modifications
- Include garlic in daily diet. People affected by Fordyce spots have found significant improvement after including garlic in their daily diet.
- Eat foods with high anti-oxidative properties to aid in lessening the oil present on the skin and in the body.
- Consume foods which are rich in vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K. Vitamin rich diet promotes quick resolution of Fordyce spots.
Hygiene
Good hygiene can help in reducing the chances of having Fordyce spots. Do following precautions:
- Wear clothing that is not tight-fitting. This is vital to anticipate sweating in the genital areas.
- Continuously shower subsequent to doing work-outs.
- It is vital to keep the area well washed
- Use anti-bacterial soap to unclog the pores in which excess oils are trapped.
