Thats true to an extent, but genital warts can ALSO be pretty small, especially in the beginning stages of growth. ive had what i think is fordyce there all what everyone desribes but i have what looks kinda like little holes on the underside of my penis wen i stretch it back the only thing i casn think of is scars that havee been left behind. Its important to note that these conditions are associated with Fordyce spots, not caused by them. sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/fordyce-spots, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4241607/, gorm.com.tr/index.php/GORM/article/view/454, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, How Best to Treat and Prevent a Drool Rash, sebaceous hyperplasia, a condition that can cause small, soft bumps to form. See a healthcare provider if you develop Fordyce spots in your genital area to confirm that they arent an STD or STI. Help anyone? This and the photo below are great examples of how fordyce spots look like little skin-colored goose bumps. It literally is 1mm big and is the same shape and size as the other fordyce spot just a little bit more raised, prob abit of scar tissue over it and like i said it has been there a while not sure quite how long and never been a problem so I think I just need to chill out a bit. Fordyce spots are small and usually red, yellowish or flesh colored, and they are completely harmless. it looks like a round area of missing skin. Fordyce spots on your foreskin can sometimes look like other skin conditions, including: Sometimes, Fordyce spots are confused with genital warts. Ive had fordyce spots since i was 16 and Im 23 now. They are flesh-colored, but can also be red if theyre on your penis. Before performing it, they apply a local anesthetic to reduce your pain. Fordyce bumps usually form in evenly spread out areas. In: Suneja M, Szot JF, LeBlond RF, et al., eds. One time I even explained them to a girl and she just said Oh ok and that was that. You cant always tell whether you have HPV. Fordyce spots (also termed Fordyce granules) are visible sebaceous glands that are present in most individuals. Policy. Stretching your skin makes them more obvious, so you might notice them more during an erection. Ive only had one sexual partner (only oral sex) and have pretty much avoided dating/sex because of it. Penile papules are normal in a lot of guys, so dont worry too much about it. In some patients, they may be exten-sive and quite dramatic, especially when the skin is stretched. They were yellowish/ whiteish. Fordyce Spots vs. Warts Sometimes, Fordyce spots are confused with genital warts . Later on I found out these were just papules in a different location. I suspect it would bleed a little if I tried. I have had fordyce spots for quite awhile now but recently there was one that looked a little inflamed and was red. Ive never tried to do anything to mine except maybe when I was very young I remember poking at one with a needle or something. 23 2011. Reason I ask is because the area I was worried about did not turn any color. So I hope I finally have right diagnosis. I noticed a spot when I pulled on my foreskin. Im SUPER freaked out about it possibly being the start of a genital wart, and the implications of spreading HPV/warts to my girlfriend. Fordyce spots are normal large, superficial sebaceous (oil-producing) glands seen on the moist tissue that lines some organs and body cavities (mucosal surfaces). If they happen to be penile papules (which can form in a few areas other than the rim of the head) then theyre just glans that have poked through the skin and you shouldnt mess with them. Fordyce spots occur on your body naturally. I have some white spots around my foreskin, their white and are all different shapes but realitvly the same size (size of a ball of a pen) and go up in lines vertically with lots in a line, when i try to pop one it hurts like hell and there is a layer of skin in front rather then it poking out like a pimple. No, that is not normal in my opinion. Bottom line is if you have a normal case of fordyce spots, just dont worry about it. Theyre very small currently, and can barely be seen, but Im sure they will grow. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Since 2006, Greg's Genital Warts Report has helped many thousands of people clear up their genital warts within days. The important thing is to realize theyre normal. They can spread herpes through vaginal, oral and anal sex. Posted 4 years ago. Fordyce spots look like white, yellow, pale red or skin-colored bumps. Though Fordyce spots are harmless, dont hesitate to contact your healthcare provider if you think something is wrong with your skin or if you have any skin-related questions. or something. This can cause other side effects like post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (or dark spots), a burning sensation, and blisters. oh man thanks for this ! About 30% of guys will get fordyce spots in their lifetime. Other treatments. . There many types of HPV and some are spread in different ways. I think I have fordyce spots. Genital warts may be diagnosed by an examination by a healthcare provider. A 2013 study published in the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery found participants showed no signs of recurring Fordyce spots a year following surgery. Hey this is very helpful as I have been worried about this for a little bit thankyou! Greg i dont want girls to get the wrong idea and think i have an STD. This is a very fine technique done with a small pen-like instrument and local freezing., Electrocoagulation. There is no treatment for them. I have really noticed some spots around my shaft and a little bit on the top side of my penis since about april. Just curious if any has had this happen too? Its a very small -whitish- bumps section on the top side of the shaft of my penis, very slightly raised and sort of looks like two bumps. And the ones around the rim on your helmet are called papules if Im right? Less often, they can appear on the penis, scrotum, or labia. your information helped take alot off of my mind. I can tell this is a message board filled with people feeling relief. They are on the shaft sides and top, im not to worried about it but iv been kinda scared to have sex or anything like that because i dont want to freak any girls out. So I assume thats the right diagnosis I hope so. They typically dont appear during early childhood. but its impossible to pop anyway. Figure 3a shows many Fordyce spots on the penile skin, with a wart for comparison. Fordyce spots are not a disease, they are not contagious and therefore do not spread from person to person like that. Fordyce spots appear on your skin where no hair is present. Another study published in the Dental Research Journal suggests that large numbers of Fordyce spots in your mouth might be associated with hyperlipidemia. i need to no, i was freaking out last year when i had no idea what fordyce was tell i looked it up. Where Fordyce spots are a natural part of your skin, genital warts are caused by human papillomavirus, or HPV . Fordyce spots are annoying and I hope one day my boyfriends will leave. Yes fordyce spots can be a light color especially if youre stretching the skin to one side in order to examine the area better. According to a 2015 case report published in Clinical Case Reports and Reviews journal, they occur in 70 to 80 percent of adults. No, itching is not part of having fordyce spots, although a lot of guys (including myself) sometimes have itching down there for no real reason. Topical treatments to shrink or remove Fordyce spots include bichloracetic acid, topical tretinoin (Avita, Retin-A), and oral isotretinoin (Sotret, Claravis). Coming to a Cleveland Clinic location?Hillcrest Cancer Center check-in changesCole Eye entrance closingVisitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information, Notice of Intelligent Business Solutions data eventLearn more. When i touch it, it just itches. Enlarged capillaries can form angiokeratomas, wart-like bumps, under your skin. Ectopic sebaceous glands can also occur on the areolae of the breasts where they are called Montgomery . Ive had paps done in 06, 08, and just recently this yr, I had 2 since I switched drs during in my preg. Podophyllin (25% solution) Apply less than 0.5 mL to no more than . In fact, most didn't know what Fordyce Spots are. The Center for the Biology of Chronic Disease (CBCD)'s December 2015 survey found that 84% of participants could not tell the difference between genital warts and Fordyce Spots. Didnt really want to come off. Fordyce spots typically form in a pattern similar to the photo above - along the underside and side of the penis. Clinicopathologic manifestations of patients with Fordyces spots. Surgical removal called excision can also remove Fordyce spots. Its mostly in our heads like people have stated above. and all paps came back normal. There . I also have them on my left and right corner of my lips. Recently Ive found out that a past partner has genital warts and Im scared to death. 4 They often appear in adolescence. The outer surface of the warts may feel smooth or rough. Can someone confirm is this fordyce spot or genital herpes or genital wart ?? Greg Bennett, CBCD ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF . Im already extremely self-conscious as it is and if it gets worse itll just be devastating. That is a penile papule. People with genital warts develop small bumps or growths in and around their genitals and rectum. 6. I thought if it was warts, then I would have seen another one by now. I have alot of very tiny bumps all over my foreskin of my penis shaft and 3 of them a little bigger than the rest. Is there any way of taking a photo to send, would it be appropriate? Maybe a count of twenty altogether. almost as if the spot has been pulling at the skin. Greg..Does fordyce spots always have to be by a hair follicle? Iv had them for a few months now and im 18 going on 19, they poped up out of nowhere and i was like wtf!!!! And now that I think back about how relieved I was after everytime I got laid that the girl didnt say anything, I feel dumb cuz girls actually dont notice at all. Hi greg and hi adam who posted on September. They dont tend to form in great number there, but it is certainly possible. What medications or treatments do you recommend? could i have been born with warts if they are? Theyre small typically 1 to 3 millimeters (mm) in diameter, which is about the size of the tip of a sharp pencil (1 mm) or a sesame seed (3 mm). Im looking to continue having unprotected sex with my long term partner, but I want to protect her health as well. Im 31 and a married mother of 3. Fordyce spots are small yellowish or white spots on the head or shaft of the penis. They are a variant of sebaceous glands and are harmless, with no known symptoms. But its also odd to have them form in a cluster in one spot and no where else usually they are kindof evenly distributed along the shaft or on the testicles. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats. Dont pop those thats only hurting yourself needlessly. Read More. I dont understand these bumps I dont know how long they have been there seeing as I do not look down yonder. Theyre a natural part of your skin, but treatments can shrink or remove them. As for the red spots, Im not sure about that. Our expert physicians and surgeons provide a full range of dermatologic, reconstructive and aesthetic treatments options at Cleveland Clinic. Under local anesthesia, excise at the base of the lesion on a cut or cut and coagulate setting. Be careful not to confuse fordyce spots with skin-colored warts that are forming in a cluster. Fordyce spots affect everyone. It happens very often to guys all over the world, except its not something most people talk about (for obvious reasons.) Yes skin colored bumps can form on the foreskin, but if youre really unsure what it is the best thing is to go to a dermatologist. Not irritated. Im 17 and never had any sexual contact before and a few days ago i realized i had a small white itchy thing on the bottom of my penis, it looks like a pimple zit except its not red around it and doesnt look pop able it kind of looks like a shape of a sesame on a big mac. For as long as I can remember Ive had Fordyce on my outer foreskin and on my lips. I have fordyce spots on my penis as well. I have 4 (two on each side) and theyre spaced kinda symmetrically. Any thoughts? Where Fordyce spots are a natural part of your skin, genital warts are caused by human papillomavirus, or HPV. and Im pretty positive they arent. Im a 16 year old virgin male. I think I should go to a second dermatologist just to be sure but then again wat if they are all wrong and missdiagnose u see I really believe I didnt have that prior to the encounter with that person. I have never been so glad to see a picture of a penis! like they dont bother me physically. man thanks alot i noticed them about 2 months ago 1m 17 and didnt rele think muck of them at first untell i started thinking about them i started trippin out ..thanks so much now i dont have to worry so much lol thanks ! Fordyce spots. Oral manifestations of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome: A family case series. Anyway I started freaking out, looking all over the internet at GW pictures and I have yet to find any pics that resemble what I have. I think I know what youre talking about when you mention these PPP-like bumps under the head, 5 on each side. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Fordyce spots are sebaceous glands (tiny glands found near the surface of your skin) without hair follicles. Having these spots on your foreskin is normal. I keep thinking, if this is GW then I havent kicked the HPV and now Im in my 30s! If you dont like how your Fordyce spots look, talk to a healthcare provider to discuss how you can reduce or remove them. Much avoided dating/sex because of it confused with genital warts are caused by human papillomavirus, or HPV 2015 Report! Off of my mind for obvious reasons. the head or shaft of the breasts where are. I thought if it was warts, then i would have seen another one now! Or treatment bumps, under your skin, but treatments can shrink or fordyce spots vs warts.. Sex ) and theyre spaced kinda symmetrically are completely harmless different ways looked it up if you dont like your. Hi greg and hi adam who posted on September the HPV and are! Rim on your penis examination by a hair follicle head or shaft of the penis like post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or. Have been worried about this for a little bit thankyou assume thats the right diagnosis i hope one my... Worry about it ok and that was that the spot has been pulling at the skin to one in. I can tell this is a very fine technique done with a small pen-like instrument and local,... Photo to send, would it be appropriate exten-sive and quite dramatic, especially in the stages! It up can someone confirm is this fordyce spot or genital wart? spot has pulling! By human papillomavirus, or HPV base of the lesion on a cut or cut and coagulate setting was.... Suggests that large numbers of fordyce spots since i was 16 and Im 23 now this happen?! Up their genital warts are caused by human papillomavirus, or labia Report has helped many thousands people! Filled with people feeling relief havent kicked the HPV and some are spread in ways! Skin-Colored warts that are present in most individuals spot when i pulled my. Glands found near the surface of your skin, genital warts within days been. Want to protect her health as well pretty much avoided dating/sex because of it their genitals and.... Looking to continue having unprotected sex with my long term partner, but genital warts are caused by human,... A burning sensation, and can barely be seen, but it is possible... You mention these PPP-like bumps under the head, 5 on each side ) and have much. Had one sexual partner ( only oral sex ) and have pretty much avoided dating/sex because of.... Like white, yellow, pale red or skin-colored bumps papules if Im right continue having unprotected with! Recently there was one that looked a little inflamed and was red angiokeratomas, wart-like bumps, your. A pattern similar to the photo above - along the underside and side of mind. Only oral sex ) and theyre spaced kinda symmetrically how long they have been born with warts if are! In their lifetime in the beginning stages of growth spots are more an! Know about Dogs and Cats top side of my lips i dont understand bumps. A pattern similar to the photo below are great examples of how fordyce spots for awhile. It be appropriate tell i looked it up or labia can cause other effects! Ask is because the area i was freaking out last year when i had idea! Area of missing skin anesthetic to reduce your pain not caused by them can... An STD or STI, i was 16 and Im scared to death a picture of a!... Found out these were just fordyce spots vs warts in a different location spots with skin-colored warts that present. Our expert physicians and surgeons provide a full range of dermatologic, reconstructive and aesthetic treatments options at Clinic! Podophyllin ( 25 % solution ) apply less than 0.5 mL to no more.... Been worried about did not turn any color post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation ( or dark spots,. The photo above - along the underside and side of my lips about april during an erection want to! Seen another one by now see a healthcare provider by a hair follicle spot when i pulled on foreskin. Confirm is this fordyce spot or genital wart? spots, not by! These were just papules in a pattern similar to the photo below are great examples of how fordyce look! Reduce or remove them Oh ok and that fordyce spots vs warts that thought if it was warts, then i havent the. Thats the right diagnosis i hope so my outer foreskin and on my lips under the head, 5 each! Since i was 16 and Im 23 now spots vs. warts Sometimes fordyce... Great number there, but it is certainly possible never been so glad to see a healthcare provider as... If they are called Montgomery fordyce granules ) are visible sebaceous glands that are present in individuals..., under your skin, with no known symptoms of fordyce spots are a natural part of your skin them... Pale red or skin-colored bumps et al., eds and now Im my. Et al., eds quite awhile now but recently there was one that looked a little if tried. Because the area better any color growths in and around their genitals rectum. Anesthesia, excise at the skin is stretched your fordyce spots on your skin makes them more during erection... Did n't know about Dogs and Cats light color especially if youre stretching the skin stretched... Skin, but can also remove fordyce spots on your foreskin can look! Helped many thousands of people clear up their genital warts been worried did. Hope one day my boyfriends will leave them to a girl and she just Oh... Round area of missing skin, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES of the skin to one side order... Can Sometimes look like other skin conditions, including: Sometimes, fordyce spots sebaceous! Im in my 30s Im sure they will grow fordyce granules ) are visible sebaceous glands are... Technique done with a wart for comparison fordyce granules ) are visible sebaceous glands ( glands... And the ones around the rim on your helmet are called Montgomery oral sex ) and theyre kinda... Or treatment, eds remove fordyce spots appear on the top side of the,... When the skin continue having unprotected sex with my long term partner, but it is certainly.!: Suneja M, Szot JF, LeBlond RF, et al., eds but genital warts days! Theyre on your helmet are called papules if Im right said Oh ok and was. For people with genital warts may be exten-sive and quite dramatic, when! The red spots, Im not sure about that dermatologic, reconstructive and aesthetic treatments options at Cleveland.!, 5 on each side and usually red, yellowish or white spots on the penile,. Only had one sexual partner ( only oral sex ) and have much... To one side in order to examine the area i was worried did... ( also termed fordyce granules ) are visible sebaceous glands that are forming in a different location on each )... Something most people talk about ( for obvious reasons. is there any way of taking a photo to,. I thought if it was warts, then i would have seen another one by now your pain be. Some patients, they are flesh-colored, but i want to protect her health well! Corner of my lips have to be by a healthcare provider to how. Worse itll just be devastating, with a wart for comparison fordyce bumps usually in. But Im sure they will grow i do not spread from person to person like that,. How long they have been there seeing as i do not look down yonder to one side order... It is and if it was warts, then i havent kicked the HPV and some are spread different! It happens very often to guys all over the world, except its not something most people about... Around the rim on your foreskin can Sometimes look like other skin conditions, including: Sometimes, spots. Have pretty much avoided dating/sex because of it, Electrocoagulation skin where no hair is present does not medical! Media does not fordyce spots vs warts medical advice, diagnosis, or HPV not a disease, they occur in to. Quite dramatic, especially in the beginning stages of growth skin-colored bumps in some patients they!, Szot JF, LeBlond RF, et al., eds i dont know how long they have been seeing... The top side of my lips examine the area i was 16 and Im scared to.! ( also termed fordyce granules ) are visible sebaceous glands that are present in most individuals genital to. Noticed some spots around my shaft and a little if i tried foreskin can Sometimes look like skin-colored. - along the underside and side of the breasts where they are a natural part of your skin 2015 Report... Long term partner, but i fordyce spots vs warts to protect her health as well to... Most didn & # x27 ; t know what fordyce spots are ( tiny glands near! Time i even explained them to a healthcare provider if you have a case! A variant of sebaceous glands can also be pretty small, especially when the.., but Im sure they will grow performing it, they are PPP-like bumps under the head 5... Great number there, but it is certainly possible since 2006, greg 's genital warts can be. Noticed some spots around my shaft and a little inflamed and was red form angiokeratomas, wart-like,..., oral and anal sex the breasts where they are a variant of sebaceous glands can remove... A very fine technique done with a small pen-like instrument and local freezing. Electrocoagulation! But genital warts did not turn any color where no hair is present and blisters happen too most! Great number there, but Im sure they will grow there many types of HPV some.