Fordyce's spot

.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.]

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 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. [http://www.pamf.org/FAQ/FAQ/fx=q/id=3419/t=a/c=9/a=13/tid=1/kw=1/z=null/faq.htm Palo Alto Medical Foundation] Bettina McAdoo , M.D. Retrieved June 24, 2006.] They may equally be worried about the appearance of their penis and what their sexual partner might think of it. [http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/menshealth/facts/spotsonthepenis.htm Spots on the penis.] Dr John Dean. Retrieved June 24, 2006.]

Causes of Fordyce’s Condition

While there seems to be a genetic link, the cause for this condition is idiopathic. The condition isn’t contagious and it isn’t caused by any viruses. At birth the papules are present but they don’t become prevalent until a child reaches puberty.

How Common is Fordyce's Spot?

From childhood to adults, Fordyce’s Condition increases. Men are more likely to develop the condition with almost 90 percent of adult men having the condition. The condition can appear either as a single lesion or in a symmetrical group of up to fifty. The spots are typically two to five mm in diameter. The growth of the lesions will not affect surrounding tissue. The name of the lesion is derived from John Addison Fordyce who is the first person to write about it in 1896. When they appear on the genitals they may cause embarrassment, but they cannot be sexually transmitted and they are harmless. The lesions have no function in the mouth and do not have any associated pathologic changes.

Treatment

Vaporising laser treatments such as CO₂ laserOcampo-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] 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.

Sometimes a doctor will prescribe TCA chemical peels, although as soon as treatment is stopped Fordyce’s Condition will return Fact|date=October 2008. The condition can also be removed with laser vaporization Fact|date=October 2008. Diathermy or liquid nitrogen freezing can also sometimes be used to remove the condition Fact|date=October 2008.

References

External links

* [http://www.dermatlas.com/derm/result.cfm?Diagnosis=1041715055 DermAtlas: Fordyce spots]
* [http://www.sebaceous-prominence.com/ Support Forum for people with Fordyce spots on their penis]