Fordyce's spot
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fordyce's spots, or Fordyce granules are small, painless, raised, white or pale spots or bumps 1 to 3 mm in diameter that may appear on the shaft of the penis or on the labia of women, as well as the inner surface and vermilion border of the lips of the face. They are common in men and women at any age. They are named after an American dermatologist, John Addison Fordyce.[1] On the head of the penis, they are called Tyson glands,[2] not to be confused with pearly penile papules.[3]
The spots are a form of ectopic sebaceous gland, and are not known to be associated with any disease or illness and are of cosmetic concern only. They are non-infectious and a totally natural occurrence on the body. Men sometimes consult with a dermatologist because they are worried they may have a sexually transmitted disease (especially genital warts) or some form of cancer, but this is not the case.[4][5] They may equally be worried about the appearance of their penis and what their sexual partner might think of it.[6]
These spots can also appear on women.[7]
Vaporising laser treatments such as CO2 laser[8] 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 physiological phenomenon and advise against treatment.
[edit] References
- ^ synd/1510 at Who Named It
- ^ eMedicine derm/395
- ^ Khoo LS, Cheong WK. Common genital dermatoses in male patients attending a public sexually transmitted disease clinic in Singapore. Ann Acad Med Singapore 1995;24:505-9.
- ^ Palo Alto Medical Foundation Bettina McAdoo , M.D. Retrieved June 24, 2006.
- ^ Dr Mark Hamilton - Penis spots. Retrieved June 24, 2006.
- ^ Spots on the penis. Dr John Dean. Retrieved June 24, 2006.
- ^ Image - Fordyce spots (vulvar)
- ^ Ocampo-Candiani J, Villarreal-Rodriguez A, Quinones-Fernandez AG, Herz-Ruelas ME, Ruiz-Esparza J. Treatment of Fordyce spots with CO2 laser. Dermatol Surg 2003; 29: 869-71. PMID 12859392
