Fordyce spots

Not to be confused with Angiokeratoma of Fordyce, Fox-Fordyce disease, or Pearly penile papules.
Fordyce spots
Close-up of Fordyce spots on penis (shaft)
Fordyce spots on vulva
Anatomical terminology

Fordyce spots (also termed Fordyce granules) are harmless and painless visible sebaceous glands typically appearing as white/yellow small bumps or spots on the inside of lips or cheeks, gums, or genitalia.[1][2] They are common,[3] and are present in around 80% of adults.[1] Treatment is generally not required and attempts to remove them typically result in pain and scarring.[3]

Their cause is unclear,[3] and they are not associated with hair follicles.[3] Diagnosis is done by visualisation.[3] They may appear similar to genital warts or molluscum.[3] They were first described in 1896 by American dermatologist John Addison Fordyce.[4]

  1. ^ a b Ngan V, Oakley A, Morrison C. "Fordyce spots: Quick and Informative guidance". DermNet. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  2. ^ James WD, Elston D, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus I (2020). "34. Disorders of the mucous membranes". Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology (13th ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier. p. 798. ISBN 978-0-323-54753-6.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Hall A (2019). "7. Ectopic sebaceous glands". Atlas of Male Genital Dermatology. Springer. pp. 15–18. ISBN 978-3-319-99749-0.
  4. ^ Crissey JT, Parish LC, Holubar K (2013). Historical Atlas of Dermatology and Dermatologists. CRC Press. p. 87. ISBN 978-1-84184-864-8.
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