Fordyce spots, also known as Fordyce granules, are common, naturally occurring sebaceous (oil) glands visible as small bumps on the skin. Named after dermatologist John Addison Fordyce, they frequently appear near moist surfaces like the lips, inside the cheeks, or on the genitals. These spots are not a disease, infection, or sexually transmitted infection, but rather a normal dermatological occurrence. Typically ranging from 1 to 5 mm, they can be flat or slightly raised and vary in colour. While individuals are usually born with them, they often become more noticeable after puberty due to hormonal changes. Fordyce spots do not cause physical complications and rarely lead to discomfort. Diagnosis is typically made through visual examination, and removal is generally for cosmetic reasons rather than medical necessity.
Images of Fordyce spots
Quick Overview
Symptoms
Fordyce spots appear as small, raised lumps on the skin, typically not causing itching, pain, or discomfort. They can be flat or slightly raised, appearing white, yellow, red, or flesh-coloured, and may occur individually or in crops of 50–100. These spots often become more noticeable after puberty due to hormonal changes and may be more visible when the skin is stretched. Squeezing them is not recommended as it can lead to infection or scarring.
Causes
Fordyce spots are enlarged oil glands that are triggered to become more prominent at the onset of puberty. They are a common anatomical variation, present at birth, and are not caused by infection or injury, nor can they be prevented. They are found in approximately 80% of adults and are not transmissible.
Diagnosis
Fordyce spots are typically diagnosed through a visual examination by a clinician, sometimes requiring magnification to confirm and rule out other conditions. If the diagnosis remains uncertain, a biopsy may be performed where a small tissue sample is removed and examined microscopically. For genital spots, an examination is crucial to differentiate them from conditions like genital herpes or warts. In some cases, a diagnosis can be made from photographs combined with a thorough clinical history.
Treatment
There is no medical necessity to remove Fordyce spots, as they are benign and do not cause physical complications. Individuals who choose to have them removed do so for aesthetic reasons, often to improve confidence. Removal should be a decision made after consulting with a clinician.
Prevention
Fordyce spots cannot be prevented because they are a natural anatomical occurrence present from birth. There is no known method to avoid their development.
Prognosis
Fordyce spots are present for life unless removed and generally do not change significantly over time, though their noticeability may vary with age. They do not increase the risk of infection or malignancy and are not associated with systemic disease. They are a normal and harmless aspect of human anatomy, and informing a partner is not necessary.
FAQs
Fordyce spots appear as small, raised lumps on the skin. They do not usually cause itching, pain or discomfort.
They may be flat or slightly raised, and can appear white, yellow, red or flesh coloured. They may occur as just one spot, however, they commonly exist in crops of 50–100.
As they are sebaceous glands, if squeezed, they may produce a white or yellow thick material. However, squeezing fordyce spots is not recommended as this can introduce infection or cause scarring.
Individuals are typically born with fordyce spots, but they often become more noticeable after puberty due to hormonal changes in the body.
Fordyce spots are often only visible when the skin is stretched - and on the penis they are particularly noticeable during an erection.
No. Fordyce spots are not a disease, infection, or a sexually transmitted infection. Fordyce spots are simply a normal dermatological occurrence, and can be present in people of all ages.
However if you are at risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI), it is important to be regularly tested to rule out infections that may look similar to fordyce spots.
Fordyce spots are a naturally occurring phenomenon and do not cause any physical complications.
Individuals with Fordyce spots may be tempted to squeeze the spots, which may cause infection or scarring. However, when left alone fordyce spots do not cause any issues.
Very rarely, Fordyce spots can cause discomfort during sexual intercourse.
Fordyce spots are oil glands, which are triggered to enlarge at the onset of puberty.
They are very common; approximately 80% of adults have them somewhere on the body, and those who have them tend to be born with them. They are not caused by infection or injury, and there is no way to avoid Fordyce spots.
Fordyce spots are not a sexually transmitted infection, so the use of condoms will not make any difference. Those with Fordyce spots already have them as part of their normal anatomy, and as they are not infectious, there is no possibility of transmission to sexual partners.
Condoms are, however, an effective way to prevent sexually transmitted infections.
Fordyce spots can appear on anyone; however, they are twice as likely to be found in men than women, and may be more common in people with oily skin.
The presence of fordyce spots also appears to increase with age.
You cannot prevent having Fordyce spots, as they are present at birth as a natural occurrence.
Some people choose to remove them for cosmetic reasons, but removal is not medically advised or necessary.
No.
Fordyce spots are not infectious; therefore, you cannot spread them to your partner.
Fordyce spots are typically diagnosed through a visual examination.
In some cases, examination under magnification may be necessary to confidently confirm Fordyce spots and rule out other conditions.
If there is any doubt in the diagnosis, your clinician may recommend a biopsy of the lesion. This involves a small sample of the spot being removed with the aid of local anaesthetic and examined under a microscope to study the cellular structure. However, a visual examination is usually enough to make a definitive diagnosis.
Fordyce spots are best diagnosed following a visual examination by an experienced clinician. If the spots are on the genitalia, it is important to rule out other conditions such as genital herpes or genital warts, which may require treatment. An examination is only performed with your explicit consent, and your clinician will treat you with the utmost respect and dignity.
In some cases, fordyce spots can be assessed through a photograph of the lesions, combined with a thorough discussion about the clinical history.
There are a few conditions that may look similar to fordyce spots, such as:
- Genital warts
- Genital herpes
- Molluscum contagiosum
- Skin inflammation such as folliculitis
- Other benign skin conditions such as milia (hard bumps on the skin, indicating a build-up of keratin)
If you are unsure whether you have Fordyce spots, particularly if they are newly visible, it is important to consult your clinician for an accurate diagnosis.
There is no medical benefit to removing your fordyce spots. Those who choose to have their fordyce spots removed do so for the aesthetic benefit, especially in relation to their confidence.
You do not need to have your Fordyce spots removed unless you wish to do so. This is a decision that should be made after consulting with a clinician.
Fordyce spots are present for life (unless removed) and do not tend to change much over time.
They may become more or less noticeable as you age; however, they do not tend to increase or decrease in number over time.
Fordyce spots do not increase your risk of infection or malignancy and are not associated with systemic disease.
It is not necessary to tell your partners if you have fordyce spots as they are a normal aspect of human anatomy, and are completely harmless.
Nevertheless, it may be useful to educate your partner on fordyce spots and reassure them that they do not pose any health risk.
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Page last reviewed by Dr. Manoj Malu 6 June 2021 for general guidance only. It is not intended to replace the advice of your clinician.