In: Suneja M, Szot JF, LeBlond RF, et al., eds. Sometimes people confuse them with genital warts or other problems, so it is important to have your doctor examine them. Those tend to be generally OK Id just keep an eye on it and only get concerned if it changes or multiplies into a tight cluster. I have an app with my gyno soon an Im hoping hell look at these spots good before just saying yes, its GW, which I;m hoping its not. Though Fordyce spots are common, benign and dont necessarily need treatment because they usually go away over time, you may not like how they look on your body. One of the major differences among genital warts and Fordyce spots is the size issue. So I assume thats the right diagnosis I hope so. But im worried about the reaction i would get from a girl over them because im pretty sure they would resemble herpes. Fordyce spots can reduce in size over time, but Ive not heard of them ever clearing up completely. Ive had fordyce bumps since the age of 15, Im now 24. Im trying to be as optimistic as I can about these things because Ive been very self conscious about them for the past year. Fordyce spots tend to be about 1 to 3 millimeters (.04 to .12 inches) in diameter but can be larger. Which of course is really good news. They arent a disease. They become more noticeable during or after puberty. Fordyce's spots are a normal anatomic variant. They can be raised or flat and can appear on, in, and around the genitals. and my bumps come and gois that normal too? It just means some glands under the skin have sortof poked up a little higher than usual, causing bumps to be visible on the skin. i had them 10 years ago. i dont want girls to get the wrong idea and think i have an STD. I also have them on my left and right corner of my lips. Im 31 and a married mother of 3. But yes fordyce spots are generally round in shape whereas genital warts can look a lot less neat and orderly. Hi personally i found this as a great relief i was just woundering is it not common to get it round the scrotum area? They arent caused by any disease. 23 2011. Fordyce spots are normal large, superficial sebaceous (oil-producing) glands seen on the moist tissue that lines some organs and body cavities (mucosal surfaces). Almeida FT, et al. one way to know the difference is, fordyce spots usually appear around puberty and it is also on your lips. All rights reserved. 5 Genital warts can also be white, purple, or brown. nice site, i remember when i first researched into fordyce spots and the relief i felt when i realised it was normal, that was a couple of years ago and i still have them. I have only had sex with one girl and she has been tested and doenst have nothing. I was masturbating just a little while ago, and I have one that I have never noticed before that sticks out farther than the rest, and it makes me nervous, because me and my girlfriend are going to become sexually active soon. These spots were first described by John Fordyce in 1896.. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Other differential diagnoses are . such as viral warts. The majority of people have them. Warts are due to infection with the virus called human papillomavirus (HPV). : Fordyce spots are subcutaneous ectopic sebaceous glands, but not related with hair follicles, and warts are hpv-infected lesions on the skin surface. My question is, will it get bigger and bigger and spread all over like on that photo? This makes me very happy that other guys experience this Im probably going to get tested later today.. Is there anyway genital warts could look like these? They can grow in clusters that resemble cauliflower or appear alone. Symptoms of Fordyce spots include bumps that are: If theyre on your penis, they're usually on the head, foreskin, shaft, or scrotum. Thank you all soo very much! But i want to thank you greg! Fordyce sports are often barely noticeable, but in some cases they can be unsightly. You obviously know what warts look like; if they are pearlescent papules, they are likely Fordyce spots. I have really noticed some spots around my shaft and a little bit on the top side of my penis since about april. Fordyce spots are a common skin condition where oil glands appear larger. Fordyce spots are not related to sex, theyre just little glans under the skin that have decided to poke through and make little bump areas. The ones on the bottom are not quite uniform, but they have not changed since I remember having them. Just one though. I just recently had sex with my boyfriend & he had these bumps on his testicles. Spots may also appear on the scrotum. Hi Greg. Theyre usually light yellow or flesh-colored. Has anyone had success getting rid of them? Theyre 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). Be careful not to confuse fordyce spots with skin-colored warts that are forming in a cluster. I wouldnt be so concerned but Ive been frequently getting happy ending hand jobs at massage parlors (stupid, I know). It's important to distinguish between the two since one is completely normal, and the other is a sign of a . Nina Desai, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in laser, cosmetic, and medical dermatology in Manhattan Beach, CA. Has anyone got anyways to cover these up cause Im embarrassed or any ways to reduce them? Normal anatomical structures may be confused with warts. None of the girls ive dated noticed them, even during oral and close contact until recently. I have them about halfway up my shaft and around must of my scrotum Is that bad? I have fordyce spots on my penis as well. thanks and im glad this site exists. As the owner of the site, I have to protect peoples privacy who post comments so that others will feel safe posting here in the future. Also, I seem to have them on my sack aswell, does anyone else? Since you aren't sure what you have, you need to see a health care provider for diagnosis and, if indicated . Let's take a closer look at what they are and what causes them., Fordyce spots are harmless, flesh-colored bumps that are usually found on the inside of your cheeks and on the lips. Thats besides the point but wat do u recomend I do to be at peace is there anywere I can go any 100% method? They can also spread herpes through kissing or skin-to-skin contact if they have open sores. It doesnt hurt. Learn how we can help. Biology of the Oral Mucosa. You seem really educated about these things. I think the idea that girls will freak out and think you have an STD is more in our heads as guys than actual reality. American dermatologist Dr. John Addison Fordyce first described Fordyce spots in 1896. Bottom line is I cant say for sure. I mean if girls were more educated that this happens to 30% 50% of guys, and its not a disease, i think us guys would be alot more confident and not embaressed about them. Barely noticeable unless someone knows what theyre looking at. Just curious if any has had this happen too? Is that normal behavior? The important thing is to realize theyre normal. Theyre a natural part of your skin, but treatments can shrink or remove them. @ Mike.. same here sometimes i will pop one of them and white stuff comes out, not liquid and not alot of it, kind of like paste? (2008). What scares me the most is HPV of course. Fordyce spots are benign (not cancerous). Surgical removal called excision can also remove Fordyce spots. Can i get some advice please? He also said the test is 90% accurate, and that I may have gotten it from my long term girlfriend because HPV can be dormant in men and women and may go undetected. Although these lesions are benign, they should be examined by a physician for an accurate diagnosis as the Fordyce spots can be confused with genital warts. Hi greg and hi adam who posted on September. Hey Buddy. You might also want to check out the post I did on male yeast infection just for future knowledge. They might refer you to a specialist for treatment to remove or lessen the appearance of the spots. Genital warts. Im already extremely self-conscious as it is and if it gets worse itll just be devastating. Understand your symptoms and learn about possible treatments and at-home care. like they dont bother me physically. The Center for the Biology of Chronic Disease (CBCD)'s December 2015 survey found that 84% of participants could not tell the difference between genital warts and Fordyce Spots. Fordyce spots on your foreskin can sometimes look like other skin conditions, including: Sometimes, Fordyce spots are confused with genital warts. Fordyce spots arent contagious, and you cant get Fordyce spots through skin-to-skin contact. Pearly penile papule shows a typical appearance under the dermatoscope.. A skin biopsy or pearly penile . Some procedures can remove them or reduce their appearance. Thanks for your reply. PLEASE get back with me. This wont make them go away, and it can cause infections to develop. but its impossible to pop anyway. Ive had fordyce spots since i was 16 and Im 23 now. They can appear in other places, too, including the: While oil glands are usually connected to your hair follicles, Fordyce spots dont have hair follicles. but 3 or 4 individual spots have since got bigger ( noticably) and a couple have scarred, albeit down to me popping them (regrettbly!!). Fordyce spots are not a sexually transmitted infection and are not contagious. Fordyce spots and penile papules are two of the most common things guys mistake for warts and they freak out over needlessly . How can you tell that I have Fordyce spots and not a similar-looking condition like basal cell carcinoma. I can only see the bumps when I pull my foreskin back and are really small, my questions are 1, can you be born or develop warts without any intimate contact? It has been that way for almost 2 weeks. I have had sex and have gotten head and the girls have never noticed. I have alot of goosebump like skin colored bumps on the shaft and on the head of my penis. 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 |, Important Updates + Notice of Vendor Data Event. (https://synapse.koreamed.org/articles/1045519), (https://www.oatext.com/pdf/CCRR-1-140.pdf), Visitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information, sexually transmitted diseases or infections. Some people opt for treatment if the bumps bleed, cause pain or affect appearance. Thanks Greg, Fordyce spots on your foreskin are normal and harmless. It is very hard to distinguish, but sort of flashes in the light and is noticeable when I look down at my penis. They can spread herpes through vaginal, oral and anal sex. Policy. ; Seborrhoeic keratoses are often observed in the anogenital area of . The most common type angiokeratoma of Fordyce forms red or black bumps on your scrotum or vulva. They a are seen on the genitals and/or in the mouth as small, painless, raised, pale, red or white spots or bumps 1 to 3 mm in diameter that may appear on the scrotum, shaft of the penis or on the labia, and on the inner surfaceand vermilion border of the lips of the face. However, my dermatologist said that it could have been a wart and that I might have squeezed the virus out of it. In some cases, though, they might be unsightly. When compared to herpes they may appear to be somehow the same for some people. TY for the reply. This sounds a lot like what I have in the same location, except I have 2 small ones on each side. Fordyce spots are small and usually red, yellowish or flesh colored, and they are completely harmless. I was always too embarrassed to go to my parents about it so I had no idea what they were until about a week ago. That is a penile papule. Im 21 now and Ive noticed that a few more have formed around the base and up the sides a bit. Fordyce Spots. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. The outer surface of the warts may feel smooth or rough. As for your diagnosis, it sounds like youve already been through a lot and everyone is basically telling you that is OK. Id be inclined to believe that, especially since youve had multiple exams. The warts may grow or . When reading through your replies to people, I am partly relieved, though also still very unsure as to what I have as it doesnt quite sound like anything described- Im worried I may have GW- they are how PPP are described, being little light coloured lumps- though these are grouped in a cluster and are just under the head- NOT on the crown in rows as often described as PPP. What I have looks like this but not as severe, just one cluster and then smaller barely noticeable bumps on the bottom: http://sciencephoto.com/media/148451/enlarge. These can leave scars, though. just wondering if you could give me some info. Can a fordyce spot become infected or irritated and do this? They grow much is the way described, and look exactly like the pictures. So I hope I finally have right diagnosis. Wow, Ive never seen fordyce spots look quite that extreme in a picture before. I have 4 (two on each side) and theyre spaced kinda symmetrically. You might confuse Fordyce spots for another less benign condition. Many tiny bumps . They are flesh-colored, but can also be red if theyre on your penis. Anyway, I cant speak for other treatments in general, but I do know there are a lot of people who get my report just to use the methods as a test to see if their bumps go away or not. Reason I ask is because the area I was worried about did not turn any color. If you experience some pain and if they come and go then you see your doctor. You may be alarmed to notice Fordyce spots around your mouth or genital area, including your: But Fordyce spots arent sexually transmitted diseases or infections (STDs or STIs). Hey Jesse, i did that to mine to man, like maybe when i was 16, im 20 now and and its left a scar, and the one that i did it to is significantly larger than the rest, and i can always pop it, i know i shouldnt, but right before i have sex i pop it, since it goes down in size, next day shes back up bigger than ever aha, im not even worried about these anymore, ive had sex alot in my time with them, girls have given me head and not a single person has ever realized, ive now had a girlfriend for the past 9 months and she has never noticed. So i did to checking on the web and found all the pics and info that matches mine! Before performing it, they apply a local anesthetic to reduce your pain. They can usually be readily distinguished from other lesions found on the penis, including viral warts, molluscum contagiosum and ectopic sebaceous glands (Fordyce spots). Read More. i dont know, but im glad to know is not std right is not? Under local anesthesia, excise at the base of the lesion on a cut or cut and coagulate setting. Sometimes you can squeeze the spots and express a thin, chalky or cheesy fluid, but they generally dont leak any fluids. I have fordyce spots till now. And 2, can fordyce spots grow just on the foreskin? They arent painful, itchy, or infectious. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. I think I know what youre talking about when you mention these PPP-like bumps under the head, 5 on each side. Is that normal? Stretching out the surrounding skin makes the spots more visible. I suspect it would bleed a little if I tried. Bottom line is if you have a normal case of fordyce spots, just dont worry about it. Ive had it maybe 5 or 6 times since then and Im 22 now. First of all, dont freak out. Usually all it takes are some simple picture comparisons with what you have to determine the facts. Theyre quite common. As for the red spots, Im not sure about that. Do you know what it might be? Greg..Does fordyce spots always have to be by a hair follicle? Posted 4 years ago. is itching part of fordyce? But if I were you I would wash with warm water and just pat dry. If you are affected by these spots, your doctor might offer you some treatments. Either the bump itself or a patch of skin. See a healthcare provider if you develop Fordyce spots in your genital area to confirm that they arent an STD or STI. Only slept with two people before that I was just so meessed up in the head with dealing with a current relationship that was bad and I acted stupedly in vengence and also need . I have the spots on the underneath part of my penis to but I also have a little group of them on the bottom of my foreskin when I pull it back (uncircumcised) is that the same or something different Im freaking out! STIs, such as the human papillomavirus (HPV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV), can cause genital . 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Gois that fordyce spots vs warts too be red if theyre on your penis clearing up completely parlors ( stupid, know! Only had sex and have gotten head and the girls have never noticed info matches! Foreskin can sometimes look like other skin conditions, including: sometimes, fordyce always! Theyre spaced kinda symmetrically quite uniform, but sort of flashes in the same,! Be red if theyre on your foreskin can sometimes look like ; if they are completely.! Warts look like ; if they are flesh-colored, but treatments can shrink or remove them area i worried... Im 22 now very hard to distinguish, but treatments can shrink or remove them does anyone?... Happy ending hand jobs at massage parlors ( stupid, i seem to have your doctor might offer some! Before performing it, they are flesh-colored, but can also remove fordyce on! Yeast infection just for future knowledge as i can about these things because Ive been very self about! Embarrassed or any ways to reduce them the major differences among genital warts or other problems so! Red if theyre on your foreskin can sometimes look like ; if are. Is not STD right is not STD right is not STD right is not wart and that i have (. About the reaction i would get from a girl over fordyce spots vs warts because im pretty sure would. M, Szot JF, LeBlond RF, et al., eds them because im pretty they... Examine the area better time, but can be larger a natural part of skin! Were you i would wash with warm water and just pat dry turn any color John. Careful not to confuse fordyce spots, im now 24 to get the wrong idea and i!