Warts, PPP, Fordyce spots & More

Discovering a lump or bump in your genital area can be unsettling. It’s natural to feel concerned and want answers quickly. While many of these growths are completely harmless, some may require medical attention. This guide offers clear, evidence-based information to help you understand and differentiate between several common genital skin conditions.

We recognise that navigating this information can feel overwhelming, so we’ve included a comparison table below to help you better understand how these conditions differ in appearance, symptoms, contagiousness, and treatment options.

Condition	Appearance	Symptoms	Contagious?	Treatable by Hyfrecation	Treatable by Laser	Treatable by Surgery	Topical/OTC Treatment
Anal Skin Tags	Soft, fleshy growths around the anus	Usually asymptomatic; may itch if irritated	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Anal Warts	Fleshy, cauliflower-like growths	Itching, bleeding, discomfort	Yes (STI)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes (topical creams)
Angiokeratoma of Fordyce	Small, dark red or purple bumps on scrotum or vulva	Usually asymptomatic	No	Yes	Yes	No	No
Bartholin’s Cyst	Painless or tender lump near vaginal opening	May cause discomfort during walking or sex; painful if infected	No	Not suitable	No	Yes	Yes (sitz baths, compresses)
Bowenoid Papulosis	Small, flat reddish-brown or purple papules	Usually asymptomatic; may itch	Yes (HPV-related)	Yes	Yes	No	Yes (topical creams)
Fordyce Spots	Small, whitish/yellowish painless bumps	Asymptomatic	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes (cosmetic only)
Genital Molluscum Contagiosum	Pearly, dome-shaped bumps with central indentation	Usually painless; may itch	Yes (viral)	Yes	Yes	Yes (incl. curettage)	Yes
Genital Skin Tags	Soft, fleshy growths on genitals	Usually asymptomatic; can be irritated by clothing	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Genital Warts	Fleshy, cauliflower-like lesions	Itching, bleeding, discomfort	Yes (STI)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Haemorrhoids	Swollen veins in anus or rectum	Pain, bleeding, itching	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes (topicals, sitz baths)
Pearly Penile Papules (PPP)	Small, dome-shaped, pearly bumps in rows around glans	Asymptomatic	No	Yes	Yes	No	No
Penile Cyst	Small fluid-filled sac under penile skin	Usually asymptomatic; discomfort if large	No	Not recommended	Not recommended	Yes	No
Scrotal Sebaceous Cyst	Slow-growing lump beneath scrotal skin	Usually asymptomatic; can inflame/infect	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Seborrhoeic Keratosis	Waxy, brown/black raised lesion	Usually asymptomatic; may itch	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Vestibular Papillomatosis	Small skin-coloured papules on vulva	Asymptomatic	No	Yes	Yes	No	No – normal variant

Hyfrecation: A Minimally Invasive Option

Hyfrecation is a minor surgical technique using low-energy electrical current to destroy targeted tissue. It’s an effective treatment for several benign skin lesions including skin tags, angiokeratomas, Fordyce spots, and seborrhoeic keratoses. The procedure is typically performed under local anaesthetic and has minimal downtime.

At our clinic, we offer hyfrecation in a comfortable and discreet setting, ensuring safety and effectiveness in managing eligible lesions.

Taking the Next Step

It can be difficult to differentiate between similar-looking conditions — such as genital warts, pearly penile papules, Fordyce spots, and vestibular papillomatosis — without expert input. Self-diagnosis often leads to unnecessary worry or incorrect treatment.

If you notice any changes in your genital area such as new lumps, bumps, rashes, or irritation, we recommend booking a consultation with a Specialist Healthcare Professional. They can provide an accurate diagnosis and guide you through your treatment options.

We offer a range of genital dermatology services — including in-person and online consultations, as well as minor procedures such as hyfrecation. Our clinical team understands the sensitive nature of these concerns and strives to create a respectful, non-judgmental environment.

Fees

Genital Dermatology Consultation - £150

Genital Dermatology Consultation + Main Procedure + Follow Up - From £550

Local anaesthetic (by injection or cream depending on the lesions) is also included in the price. The following conditions have fixed prices:

Fordyce Spots - Patch Test (£350) + Main Procedure (£750 penile and/or £750 shaft)
Pearly Penile Papules (PPP) - £750-1000
Vestibular papillomatosis - Patch Test (£350) + Main Procedure (£750)

Follow up (within 4 weeks) - 1x Included

By default, patients 1x follow up visit is included in the quote we offer you. In some complex cases, we may offer an additional follow up visit (this will be clarified in your quote/consultation).