Fordyce spots are one of those things most people notice but rarely understand. Have you ever spotted tiny white or yellowish bumps on your lips orย genitals and wondered what they were? Youโre not alone. These unexpected little dots can feel alarming at first, especially when they seem to appear out of nowhere. But take a deep breathโtheyโre more common and more harmless than you might think. The good news is, these spots are not a cause for concern. They have nothing to do with poor hygiene, infections, or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). In fact, Fordyce spots are a completely normal skin feature for many people. They donโt cause pain, itching, or discomfort and usually go unnoticed unless youโre actively looking for them. Understanding what they are can help reduce unnecessary worry and make it easier to care for your skin. Getting clear information is the first step toward feeling comfortable about your body.
What Fordyce Spots Are Not
Letโs start by clearing up the confusion. Fordyce spots are not warts, herpes, pimples, or blocked pores. They are not signs of any disease, and they definitely arenโt contagious. That means you canโt catch them, spread them, or do anything wrong to cause them. Itโs important not to treat them like acne or blemishes. Trying to squeeze or pick at them can irritate your skin and lead to scarring. According to theย American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, Fordyce spots are considered a normal anatomical variant, not a medical issue. People often mistake them for something more serious because of their location and appearance, but unlike infections or skin conditions, they donโt spread or worsen. Most dermatologists donโt even consider them worth treating unless a person is bothered by how they look.
What Fordyce Spots Actually Are
So, what are these spots if theyโre not a medical problem? Fordyce spots are simply visible oil glands that appear on hairless areas of the skin. Most often, they show up on the edges of the lips, the inside of the cheeks, and the genitals. Everyone has oil glands, or sebaceous glands, on their skin. Normally, these glands are hidden beneath hair follicles, but in areas without hair, the glands can become visible and look like small, pale bumps. These spots are named after John Addison Fordyce, a dermatologist who first described them in 1896. According toย Healthline, about 70 to 80 percent of adults have them. Theyโre completely natural and rarely noticed unless someone is looking closely. While they may appear unusual, they donโt affect health and are just a visible version of something everyone has beneath the skin.
Why People Get Fordyce Spots
You donโt โgetโ Fordyce spots the way you get a rash or infection. Youโre actually born with them. They just tend to become more visible during puberty when hormone levels change and oil production increases. As your sebaceous glands grow, they can push closer to the surface of the skin, which is when Fordyce spots start to show. Hormones and genetics may play a role in how noticeable they become. If your parents had visible Fordyce spots, thereโs a good chance you might too. Unlike many skin conditions, Fordyce spots are not linked to lifestyle, diet, or hygiene. You canโt prevent them, and you havenโt done anything wrong to have them. Theyโre a normal part of your skinโs development that some people happen to see more than others.
Do Fordyce Spots Go Away?
In most cases, Fordyce spots donโt completely go away. However, they may become less noticeable over time. Changes in hormones, skin type, and age can all affect how visible they are. Some people find that their Fordyce spots fade or shrink as they get older, while others may notice them more during times of hormonal shifts like puberty or pregnancy. According to the Mayo Clinic, these spots are harmless and donโt require any medical treatment. If the bumps change in color, size, or texture, itโs always a good idea to consult a doctor, but generally, they remain stable and donโt turn into anything serious. Trying to remove them without professional help can cause irritation or damage to your skin. Most of the time, they donโt need any attention at all.
Should You Treat Fordyce Spots?
Since Fordyce spots donโt pose any health risks, most doctors advise leaving them alone. That said, some people feel self-conscious about how they look, especially if the spots are on visible areas like the lips. If youโre considering treatment, options may include laser therapy, micro-punch surgery, or special topical creams. These procedures are mostly cosmetic, and results can vary. According to WebMD, treatment isnโt guaranteed to be permanent, and the spots can return even after they appear to fade. Thereโs also a risk of side effects such as scarring or discoloration with certain procedures. Because the condition is benign, many dermatologists discourage treatment unless itโs for personal comfort. Any treatment should be discussed with a skin specialist who can explain the risks and benefits based on your individual needs.
When to See a Doctor
Even though Fordyce spots are harmless, itโs okay to ask a doctor about them. If you notice changes in the bumpsโlike itching, pain, or sudden growthโget them checked out. Some conditions can look similar to Fordyce spots, such as genital warts or cysts, so itโs best to rule those out. Seeing a dermatologist can help you make sure youโre dealing with something benign. According to theย Cleveland Clinic, dermatologists are trained to recognize Fordyce spots and can quickly tell you if thatโs what they are. Donโt feel awkward about bringing it up. These types of questions are common, and professionals wonโt think twice about helping you get clear answers. It can be reassuring to confirm that nothing serious is going on, especially if youโre feeling unsure.
Fordyce Spots Are Normal
Fordyce spots are a normal part of many peopleโs skin. They donโt hurt, donโt spread, and donโt mean anything is wrong with you. Everyone has small differences in their skin, and Fordyce spots happen to be one of them. They donโt interfere with health and arenโt a problem that needs to be fixed. Understanding what Fordyce spots are can take away a lot of the unnecessary stress that people sometimes feel. Theyโre not a flaw or a medical issue, just something your body naturally has. If youโre ever unsure, a quick visit to a dermatologist can help confirm it, but in most cases, thereโs nothing you need to do about them at all. Living with Fordyce spots doesnโt require special care or treatment, and once you know what they are, it often becomes easier to stop worrying about them. If more people talked openly about skin topics like this, it might be easier to feel comfortable in your own skin without second-guessing every bump or change. Itโs helpful to remember that most people have minor things about their bodies that seem unusual but are perfectly normal.
