Small, elevated white or yellowish bumps around the mouth or lips is a very common condition in adults. These bumps are called Fordyce spots and they are nearly ubiquitous, often present since childhood, and entirely benign. They may cause some anxiety or discomfort due to unsightliness and the fact that they are also common to both men and women's genitals, but they are harmless and not a symptom of a sexually transmitted infection.
Description
Fordyce spots are small white or yellowish bumps around your lips or on the insides of your cheeks. They may be slightly more sensitive to heat, cold or pain than the surrounding tissue. According to the University of Arkansas Fort Smith, the most common location for the condition is the buccal mucosa, which is directly on the inside of the cheek.
Causes
According to DermNet NZ, Fordyce spots are caused by sebaceous oil glands lacking hairs, which get blocked by natural skin oils and cause spots. Sebaceous glands are the same types of pores that can cause acne, though the type of oil is different and Fordyce spots do not swell or irritate the way that acne does.
Effects
The condition is entirely benign and harmless, and aside from a slightly raised sensitivity, the effects are completely cosmetic. Fordyce spots may be confused with acne if they are present on the exterior of the mouth, and they may be annoying when felt by the tongue inside the cheeks. The spots are completely harmless, however, and according to DermNet NZ, present within 80 to 95 percent of adults.
Treatment
Though Fordyce spots are benign, they may be considered unsightly or annoying enough to warrant treatment, though it's not usually necessary. The incidence of new spots developing can be curbed by frequent facial scrubs, and existent spots can be eventually washed away by effective facial washes. Apply a hot towel to the face to open your pores before every wash and you will eventually wash deep enough to have an effect on the spots.
Confusion
The surfacing of Fordyce spots can be alarming because they are also a common occurrence on the genitals of both men and women. According to DermNet NZ, Fordyce spots are commonly seen on the glans or shaft of the penis and on the labia. Despite the coincidence of these locations, Fordyce spots are not infectious or communicative and are not symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection.
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