What are the symptoms of Fordyce Spots?
Fordyce Spots are asymptomatic, and do not give you any symptoms other than the spots themselves. These spots are often:
- yellow, white, or flesh coloured (or sometimes red if they are on the penis)
- up to 3mm in size
- clustered together
If you have additional symptoms such as pain, bleeding, or discharge, then this may indicate another condition, and you should speak to your doctor.
What are the early signs of Fordyce Spots?
There are no early signs of Fordyce spots, as most people have them from birth, but they are often barely noticeable at this age. The hormones that are produced during puberty can cause Fordyce Spots to become more obvious.
What do Fordyce Spots look like?
Fordyce spots appear as small, yellow, white or flesh coloured spots. They can be up to 3mm big, and they are usually clustered together.
They are most commonly found on the lips, inside cheek, penis, scrotum, or labia.
If you have Fordyce Spots on your penis, then they can look bigger or more noticeable when the skin is stretched. You may also notice them more when you have an erection.
What do Fordyce Spots feel like?
Fordyce Spots are not painful and are entirely harmless. In some cases, they may be a little bit itchy, but this is uncommon.
If you think you might have Fordyce Spots which are painful or particularly itchy, this may be an indication of a more serious condition and you should speak to your doctor for advice.
How long do Fordyce Spots last?
Fordyce spots usually last your whole life. They are often present from birth and will rarely go away by themselves. They are completely harmless, and there is usually no need to treat them. While in some circumstances, Fordyce spots may fade or disappear over time, it is more likely that they will remain in place unless their presence is bothering you and you decide to take action to remove them.
Fordyce Spots complications
There are no real complications with Fordyce Spots as they are usually benign and completely harmless. They will not increase your likelihood of experiencing any other conditions or side effects. Some people may seek to treat them if they bother them, but there is often no medical reason for this.
When should I talk to a doctor about my Fordyce Spots?
Fordyce Spots will rarely require attention from a doctor. If they are causing discomfort or appear to be bleeding or causing discharge, this is more likely to indicate another condition. You should talk to your doctor if you think you have Fordyce Spots which are:
- painful during sex or whilst urinating
- burning
- itchy
- smelly
- causing discharge
- cracked or bleeding