Fordyce Spots Lips: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Prevention

Fordyce spots are elevated lumps on the penis shaft, also referred to as labia, scrotum, or surrounding the lips. They do not endanger one's health. They are also known as Fordyce granules or follicular prominence. They affect both men and women.

These innocuous spots may generate alarm due to their appearance, but they pose no health hazards. They are merely an aesthetic issue.

Fordyce spots are a prevalent skin condition in which the oil glands enlarge. They become more visible during or following puberty. They frequently appear around and on your lips, as well as on your penis & vagina. 

In this article, we will learn about Fordyce spots lips, their causes, how they can be prevented, and treatment for them. 

What are Fordyce spot lips?

Fordyce points out (Fordyce granules) are hairless patches of your skin with larger, slightly elevated sebaceous (oil) glands. They are typically found at the margins of the lips (vermillion border) and inside your cheeks. They can appear surrounding your genital area at times. Fordyce lesions are not malignant.

Fordyce spots are clusters from ectopic (abnormally placed or positioned) sebaceous glands. They are unrelated to hair follicles and open straight onto the skin's surface.

Fordyce glands are typical and can be found in as much as 80% of adults. They affect people of all ages and genders but are most common in men aged 17 to 67. They are found at birth but grow in size due to hormones during puberty. 

What are the symptoms of Fordyce spot lips?

They are generally encircled with a yellow, white, light red, or skin-colored halo and can be found in the following body parts:

The shaft of the scrotum and penis, the vermilion border labia the area on the face where the lips & skin meet.

They can be bright red or purple bumps or pale color on the shaft of the penis, the skin of the scrotum, as well the labia. They might appear alone or in groups of between 50 and 100 dots. When the skin is stretched, it becomes more visible.

They are not painful or itchy. They may bleed after or during intercourse in some situations.

They weren't dangerous and couldn't be transmitted from one person to another. Some men having Fordyce spots may be concerned that they have an infection that is sexually transmitted (STI) or cancer; however, these are frequently demonstrated to be safe.

What are the causes of Fordyce spot lips?

A Fordyce spot is an oily gland that has shown itself in an odd location in the body. Ectopic sebaceous glands are what they're called.

Hormonal fluctuations cause Fordyce spots; some believe they begin forming when an embryo is developing in the womb.

Even though those glands are technically out of their proper location, they are not related to any sickness or illness.

Dermatologists suggest that they are only cosmetic. People with Fordyce spots may be unhappy with how they usually look, but they pose no risk to their physical health.

According to experts, Fordyce spots are natural and appear to some extent in most persons.

Fordyce spots treatment- Available Options

Fordyce spots affect the skin's oil-producing glands. These spots are only treated cosmetically.

The majority of doctors advise opposing treatment. Dermatologists and other professionals emphasize that Fordyce spots are common on the body and are not harmful to human health.

There are, however, a variety of cosmetic procedures accessible. Individuals seeking to eliminate the spots will almost certainly have to pay for therapy, as insurers rarely cover cosmetic procedures.

Electrodesiccation

Electrodesiccation or carbon dioxide (CO2) therapy with lasers has been utilized with moderate success in reducing the visibility of the spots. This treatment treats the skin condition's mainly aesthetic concern.

Dye lasers that pulse

In some situations, these have also proved effective. This laser treatment is commonly used for sebaceous gland hyperplasia, a condition in which the glands that generate Fordyce spots grow.

Pulsed dye lasers are less likely to cause scars than other treatments. They can, however, be costly.

The therapy options indicated above are, in most situations, ineffective for most people.

Micro-punch method

23-person retrospective research from 2003 to 2011 yielded satisfactory functional & cosmetic improvements. According to the study, there have been no indicators of recurrence between 12 as well as 84 months while the person is examined after the treatment.

• Cryotherapy involves freezing the tissue to "kill" it.

• Vaporizing lasers (CO2 laser): A CO2 laser eliminates the top layer of skin.

• Photodynamic therapy: The therapy is light in which photosensitizing chemicals are used.

• Topical chloroacetic acid: An acid that can reduce or eliminate Fordyce spots.

• Topical tretinoin: A retinoid that stimulates skin peeling and pore unclogging.

• Oral isotretinoin: A retinoid derived from a form of vitamin A, it may be anti-inflammation and aid in the prevention of scarring and other skin disorders (such as Fordyce spots), but it should not be used long-term due to liver damage and increased risk of depression.

What are the preventions of Fordyce spots lips?

Fordyce spots develop naturally on your body. If you don't like how they look, you could minimize them and avoid other skin disorders by following a basic skincare routine, which includes washing the skin with hot water and gentle cleansers like soaps and applying a moisturizer regularly.

Although it is not always feasible to prevent Fordyce spots, there are some precautions you may take to lessen your risk of creating them. Maintaining proper hygiene is one of the most vital information you can do. 

This includes regularly bathing your skin with a soft cleanser while avoiding harsh soaps and scrubs. You must also not apply oily or greasy treatments on your skin since these might clog your pores & cause Fordyce spots to appear.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is another approach to avoid Fordyce spots. This involves eating a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly, and refraining from smoking plus excessive alcohol intake. 

These practices can help maintain good skin health and lower your risk of skin problems such as Fordyce spots.

Conclusion 

It is very uncommon for patients with Fordyce spots around the lips to visit multiple dermatologists & plastic surgeons only to discover that only a minority of them can detect them.

If you observe any changes in your genitals or face, you should consult a doctor. Fordyce spots, on the other hand, are not a major health risk.

Fordyce spots are small, innocuous lumps around the lips, mouth, or genitals. They are skin glands that do not have hair follicles.