Fordyce's spot
Encyclopedia
Penis
The penis is a biological feature of male animals including both vertebrates and invertebrates...
or on the labia, as well as the inner surface (retromolar mucosa) and vermilion border of the lip
Lip
Lips are a visible body part at the mouth of humans and many animals. Lips are soft, movable, and serve as the opening for food intake and in the articulation of sound and speech...
s of the face
Face
The face is a central sense organ complex, for those animals that have one, normally on the ventral surface of the head, and can, depending on the definition in the human case, include the hair, forehead, eyebrow, eyelashes, eyes, nose, ears, cheeks, mouth, lips, philtrum, temple, teeth, skin, and...
. They are common in men and women of all ages. They are named after an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
dermatologist, John Addison Fordyce
John Addison Fordyce
John Addison Fordyce was an American dermatologist, whose name is associated with Fordyce's spot, Brooke–Fordyce trichoepithelioma, Fordyce's disease, Fordyce's lesion, and Fox-Fordyce disease.Fordyce graduated in 1881 with a degree in Medicine from the Chicago Medical College...
. On the head of the penis, they are called Tyson's glands, not to be confused with Hirsuties papillaris genitalis
Hirsuties papillaris genitalis
Hirsuties coronae glandis are small saliences on the ridge of the glans of the male genital organs. It is a harmless anatomical variation. They are found significantly more often on uncircumcised men, and on younger men...
.
The spots are a form of ectopic
Ectopia
In medicine, an ectopia is a displacement or malposition of an organ or other body part. Most ectopias are congenital, but some may happen later in life...
sebaceous gland
Sebaceous gland
The sebaceous glands are microscopic glands in the skin that secrete an oily/waxy matter, called sebum, to lubricate and waterproof the skin and hair of mammals...
: normally, sebaceous glands are only found in association with a hair follicle. They are not known to be associated with any disease or illness and are of cosmetic concern only. They aren't infectious and are a natural occurrence on the body. Men sometimes consult with a dermatologist because they are worried they may have a sexually transmitted disease
Sexually transmitted disease
Sexually transmitted disease , also known as a sexually transmitted infection or venereal disease , is an illness that has a significant probability of transmission between humans by means of human sexual behavior, including vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and anal sex...
(especially genital warts) or some form of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
, but this is not the case.
Treatment
Vaporising laser treatments such as CO2 laser or electro desiccation have been used with some success in diminishing the appearance of this condition if they are of cosmetic concern. However, most doctors consider this a normal physiologicalPhysiology
Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or...
phenomenon and advise against treatment. Laser treatment can often leave significant scarring.
Sometimes a doctor will prescribe TCA chemical peels, although as soon as treatment is stopped Fordyce’s Condition will return . Diathermy or liquid nitrogen freezing can also sometimes be used to remove the condition .
Success varies per patient, but some have found relief from pulse Dye Lasers, a laser normally used to treat sebaceous gland hyperplasia, which is similar to Fordyce spots. Treatment with Pulse Dye Lasers is usually expensive but doesn't scar.
Fordyce's Spots VS. Angiokeratoma of the Scrotum
Fordyce's Spots are sometimes confused with AngiokeratomaAngiokeratoma
Angiokeratoma a is benign cutaneous lesion of capillaries, resulting in small marks of red to blue color and characterized by hyperkeratosis....
of the Scrotum, but the two are not the same. Compare the images on the right of Angiokeratoma of the Scrotum with those above of Fordyce's Spots.