Fordyce granules are small yellowish or whitish spots, which may appear on the lips, on the inside of the cheeks or on the genitals, which arise naturally and have no health consequences
These granules are increased sebaceous glands and therefore can appear at any age, being more frequent at puberty due to hormonal changes and not being related to HIV, herpes, sexually transmitted diseases, genital warts or cancer.
Although Fordyce granules do not need to be treated, there are some forms of treatment that can eliminate them for cosmetic reasons, through creams or even laser surgery.
What causes the appearance of the granules
Fordyce granules are usually present from birth, however, they may not be observable. After adolescence, and with hormonal changes, these granules can become larger, becoming visible.
The granules can appear in anyone but are twice as frequent in men and in people with very oily skin.
Fordyce granules are contagious?
Fordyce granules are not contagious or are caused by an infectious agent such as bacteria or viruses, arising naturally in the region of the mouth or genitals.
What are the treatment options
The treatment of Fordyce granules is done only for aesthetic reasons and the lesions can not always be completely eliminated. Some of the more common options include:
- Use of ointments and creams, with Tretinoin or Dichloroacetic acid: eliminate skin changes, but should only be used with indication of a dermatologist;
- Micro-puncture technique : Slight anesthesia is applied and then the doctor uses a device to remove the granules from the skin;
- CO2 Laser : The doctor uses a strong ray of light that removes the granules from the skin, however this technique can leave scars and therefore should only be done by a dermatologist.
These treatment techniques can be used to remove or disguise Fordyce granules from all parts of the body, even in the genital region.
Natural remedies like jojoba oil, vitamin E or argan extract have been successfully used in the treatment of Fordyce granules in combination with drug treatments.
In addition, it is always important to avoid squeezing Fordyce granules at home as this technique does not cause them to be eliminated and may even increase the risk of skin infection.
Main symptoms
The symptoms of Fordyce granules are the appearance of small yellow or whitish spots, isolated or clustered, in the region of the mouth or genitals. Fordyce granules in the mouth usually appear on the upper lip, inner cheek or gums. In the genital region, especially in men, it is common for Fordyce granules to appear on the body of the penis, glans, foreskins or testicles.
Fordyce granules do not cause pain or irritation, altering only the aesthetics of the region where they arise.
In the presence of any of these signs or symptoms, the dermatologist should be consulted to make the diagnosis of the disease and discuss treatment options.
