Fordyce Spots, Benign Penis Bumps, May Cause Concern

When wanting to impress a date, men take special care to ensure that their hair is in place, their clothes emphasize their best qualities and that they are at their most presentable - and that includes making sure their penis is at its most presentable. Sometimes, however, there may be something about their penis’ physical appearance which can give a partner pause, such as penis bumps. Often penis bumps, such as those known as Fordyce spots, are totally benign and not a penis health issue at all, but a partner may not know this. Sometimes men also feel self-conscious about having Fordyce spots. So what should a man do about these harmless penis bumps?

Learn more

The first thing is for a man to learn a little more about Fordyce spots.

To start at the beginning, Fordyce spots are small (1mm to 3mm) pale bumps that can appear in men on the penis and/or scrotum, in women on the vagina, and in either sex on the lips. Some people describe them as resembling very small grains of rice, and they are easier to see when the skin is stretched tight (and so more likely to show up on an erect penis than a flaccid one). Often they are almost invisible and many men may be unaware that they have them. (An estimated 20% of men have Fordyce spots on their penis or balls.) As noted before, they are essentially harmless, although they may itch at times.

These spots appear because a little excess oil has become trapped in the sebaceous glands, rather than being secreted onto a hair follicle as usual. Fordyce spots may be more common during adolescence, suggesting that hormonal and metabolic imbalances can play a factor. Other common triggers are stress and anxiety. Typically, they go away after two or three weeks, but they also tend to come back often; in some guys, it may seem like they always have these penis bumps.

Explaining to a partner about Fordyce spots may put their concerns to rest. However, some men may still feel uncomfortable about having these "blemishes" and so may want to find a treatment for them.

Treatment

There are several possible treatment options for men concerned about Fordyce spots.

- Dietary changes. Some doctors believe that eating foods that are high in antioxidants can help decrease the excess oil that causes the spots to form. In addition, asparagus and garlic are thought by some to help control these oils. Some natural medicine specialists believe that applying lemon extract directly to the skin may be of benefit.

- Chemical peels. Some dermatologists suggest a chemical peel for removing Fordyce spots. In these cases, a mixture is added to the skin, allowed to dry and then removed, taking the top few layers of skin with it. However, the newly exposed skin is likely to be red and very sensitive, so it may not be worth the cost.

- Lasers. Pulse dye lasers have been used, but the success of this expensive option depends on several factors, including age and hue of skin.

- Cryotherapy. Freezing the spots off is also an option, if performed by a professional. However, this could result in skin tissue damage.

Because of the risks associated with many of these options, a man should consider treatment only if the presence of Fordyce spots causes him genuine difficulties in relationships, self-esteem or emotional well-being.

If penis bumps from Fordyce spots cause itching, regular application of a top notch penis health oil (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) may help. Select an oil which contains a combination of moisturizing agents, such as shea butter and vitamin E. In addition, an oil with a powerful antioxidant, such as alpha lipoic acid, may be of benefit in helping to lessen Fordyce spots’ effects.

Penis Bumps Basics: Recognizing Fordyce Spots

People like to look their best, which is why they may spend time at the gym, focus attention on their eating habits or pay particular attention to what clothing is the most flattering to them. For the same reason, men (hopefully) pay close attention to their penis health, examining their member for any changes that could signal a possible issue. When penis bumps appear, these can often cause a man to have concerns: Why are they here? What (if anything) do they mean? What do I do about them? One common form of penis bumps which may cause these questions to arise is Fordyce spots.

Fordyce spots

Named after the doctor who is credited with discovering them, Fordyce spots are very small white or pinkish spots that typically measure between 1 mm and 3 mm. (In rare occasions, they will be a little larger.) Since 1 mm is roughly equal to 4/100 of an inch - so these penis bumps are rather small.

Fordyce spots usually occur in groups, rather than individually, and it is not uncommon for a man to have them all along the shaft of his penis and/or on his balls. (They can also appear elsewhere on the body, most commonly on the lips.) They fortunately do not cause any pain, and they are not sore or tender to the touch. And because they are so small and painless, often they may go unnoticed for a long period of time. (It is estimated that up to 80% of men have Fordyce spots, so it is quite a common condition.)

Perhaps most importantly, these penis bumps are not a sign of a larger problem. They don’t indicate the presence of a sexually-transmitted infection (STI) or other serious penis health condition.

Causes

So what causes Fordyce spots? Most often, the culprit is sebaceous glands - those glands in the body which secrete the natural oils that are needed to keep the skin healthy. Most of the time, these glands are located near hair follicles, as it is these follicles that help provide a pathway for the oils to leave the body and reach the skin’s surface.

Some recent research suggests that Fordyce spots may be more likely to occur in people whose blood levels are higher in fat than normal - although since so many people have Fordyce spots, it may instead mean that men with higher blood fat levels may simply have more of these particular penis bumps.

Treatment

Because Fordyce spots are benign, there is no need to treat them medically. However, some men can come to feel anxious or worried about having these penis bumps. They may have experiences where a partner is put off by the Fordyce spots, perhaps worrying that they are a sign of an STI. In such cases, a qualified medial professional may be consulted to discuss options. Sometimes laser surgery is used as a way of removing Fordyce spots.

Some doctors believe that dietary changes can have an impact on the presence of these spots, with lower-fat diets reducing the amount of oil secreted.

More often, however, men simply accept their Fordyce spots. Some partners even find they make the penis more attractive.

Identifying Fordyce spots and other penis bumps is part of a proper penis health regimen, as is the daily application of a first rate penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Keeping penis skin well-toned adds to the appeal of a man’s organ, so the selected crème needs to include both a high end emollient (such as shea butter) and a reliable hydrator (such as vitamin E). The skin also needs protection from oxidative stress, which can be caused by excess free radicals. A crème with a potent antioxidant, such as alpha lipoic acid, can help achieve this goal.

Penis Bumps from Fordyce Spots: Are DIY Remedies Good?

When a man discovers penis bumps on his equipment, he often worries about what this might mean in terms of his penis health, and with good reason. Sometimes bumps can indeed mean a condition exists which needs attending to. But in the case of Fordyce spots, the bumps are benign and don’t really require attention medically.

Nonetheless, some men (and some partners) don’t like the look of Fordyce spots on and around the penis and may want to do something about them. There are many DIY remedies floating around the internet for removing Fordyce spots - but should a man use them to get rid of these harmless penis bumps?

What they are

The body has a network of glands known as sebaceous glands. There are many of these in the penis, and they provide an important function. They create and transport the body’s natural lubricating oils to the skin, where they help keep the skin moisturized and prevent drying out. On the penis, this helps keep skin from becoming dry, flaky and cracked - a look that no man really wants.

Sometimes, however, the sebaceous glands work harder than they have to. They become overactive. When this happens, they can be seen on the top of the skin as tiny little dots, often white or another color that is somewhat paler than the skin surrounding them. This is all that Fordyce spots are - overactive sebaceous glands. They are not dangerous and pose no real danger to a person. And they are very common, with some doctors estimating that some 80% of men have these penis bumps. (Some people may also get them on their lips as well.)

Removal

Nonetheless, some people find them aesthetically unpleasing and wish to have them removed. Since Fordyce spots have been around for thousands of years, many folk "remedies" exist for them. But are they effective? Not really.

For example, many DIY remedies assume that Fordyce spots are due to bacterial growth, which is not the case. But nonetheless these remedies purport to destroy bacteria in the area, and thus remove the penis bumps. Typical among these home methods are the application of turmeric mixed with apple cider vinegar; tea tree oil; jojoba oil; or lemon. Whether they actually affect bacteria may be open to debate, but they definitely do not remove Fordyce spots.

Another tactic has to do with moisturizing the skin. Coconut oil and aloe vera are suggested for this, and while they can help keep skin hydrated, Fordyce spots do not respond to them. Neither do they respond to simply boosting vitamin intake, as other old wives’ tales suggest. For that matter, exfoliating via an oatmeal scrub or a mixture of vanilla and sugar is also unlikely to help.

A doctor

For those men who really do wish to remove their Fordyce spots, it’s suggested they consult with a dermatologist. There are some methods, such as laser surgery and chemical peels, which can be effective. But since these penis bumps are benign, a man may want to be sure he cannot live with them before taking steps to remove them.

While home remedies to remove Fordyce spots (or other penis bumps) are unlikely to work, they do draw attention to the need to care for penis skin - and this can more easily be accomplished through the regular application of a first class penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) . Moisturization can be aided via a crème that includes both Shea butter (a high-end emollient) and vitamin E (one of nature’s great hydrating agents). And since free radicals and the oxidative damage they cause are a threat to healthy penis skin, it helps if the selected crème also includes a power antioxidant (such as alpha lipoic acid) to help fight those free radicals.

Benign Penis Bumps: Recognizing Fordyce Spots

When doing a careful inspection of the manhood (which should be a part of every man’s regular penis care routine), many a guy notices his penis and/or scrotum are pocked with tiny penis bumps. Panic may be his first reaction, and with good reason: sometimes penis bumps can be a sign of a serious issue. But often penis bumps are quite benign, and that is especially the case when those bumps are Fordyce spots.

A common occurrence
 
Fordyce spots are quite common, with some estimates that 80% of adults may have Fordyce spots (although not always on their sexual organs; the mouth is another prime target). So they’re common, but what are they?

Fordyce spots are small spots, usually white or pale red. Typically they’re between 1 and 3 mm in diameter and slightly raised above the surface of the skin. They’re painless, even when touched or prodded. They typically occur in large groups, rather than as an individual bump or two.

And of course, as mentioned above, the good news is that they’re benign. They don’t mean a guy has a disease or has not been paying proper attention to his penis health. They’re just a natural occurrence.

Why are they?
 
But what makes them come around in the first place? The answer: the sebaceous glands.
For those who don’t remember their high school biology, the sebaceous glands are glands in the skin responsible for secreting the oils that keep the skin smooth and healthy. Thus they are typically associated with the presence of hair follicles, which help deliver that oil from beneath the skin to the surface, where it can do the most good.

So Fordyce spots are really just sebaceous glands that are too close to the surface. As to why they tend to appear in the sexual organs (and the mouth) rather than on other parts of the body, scientists aren’t really sure. And since they’re harmless, there’s not a lot of demand for scientists to investigate.

Reactions
 
Once they know that Fordyce spots are harmless, many men just forget about these little penis bumps. It helps that often the bumps on the penis are not really visible except when the penis is erect and its skin stretched taut (although those on the testicles tend to be visible more of the time).

Other men, however, are not so blasé about the spots and feel they detract from the beauty of their member. They may seek out treatments to rid themselves of the bumps. Doctors tend to discourage this, but men who are determined to remove the spots do have some options. Vaporizing laser treatments have been found to be successful for some men (although there’s always the possibility of some scarring). Pulsed dye lasers are reputed to have less chance of scarring. Some other surgical techniques have also been used.

However, most men with Fordyce spots accept these penis bumps and concentrate instead on maintaining the overall health of their member. Using a first rate penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) is an excellent way to obtain this goal. When a man has a healthy penis, less attention is drawn to small blemishes like Fordyce spots, so using a crème with a combination of moisturizers is key. One with both a high-end emollient (such as Shea butter) and a natural hydrator (like vitamin E) gives a potent moisturizing punch that keeps skin smooth and supple. If the crème also contains alpha lipoic acid, so much the better. A strong antioxidant, alpha lipoic acid wages war against the nasty free radicals that can promote oxidative stress and lead to aged, older-looking penis skin.

Guide to Penis Bumps - What to Do When Fordyce Spots Appear

The few inches of skin that wrap around the penis are probably the most inspected bits of tissue located on a man's body. It's easy to imagine how surprised, scared and even panicked a guy might feel when his tool turns up covered with bumps, even if those spots and speckles aren't associated with pain or itching. The very sight of bumps, spots, and other blemishes are often viewed as signs of a partner-transmitted infection or some other serious problem, and men might be desperate to find a penis care solution that can help. Here is one common cause of spots on the penis, as well as some tips for dealing with them.

Glands Gone Wild
In order to understand what Fordyce spots are and how they develop, a quick lesson in skin anatomy is required. Once men really understand what tissues lie just beneath the surface, it's a little easier to understand what might go wrong.

The stretchy, elastic skin of the penis relies on a network of glands - called sebaceous glands - that provide lubricating oils. Throughout the day, these glands release secretions that spread out over the surface of the skin, allowing that tissue to retain moisture and flexibility.

Fordyce spots are nothing more than overactive sebaceous glands that are visible on the surface of the skin. They can appear anywhere on the body, but they are most common around the lips and on the male and female genitals.

What They Look Like
A classic Fordyce spot is small and round; it's typically just a little lighter than the color of the rest of a man's skin, but it may appear yellowish, pink, or red. They do not bleed, and they are not generally sore, unless they are irritated by squeezing or scratching. Therefore, trying to squeeze the accumulated oil out of them should be avoided. 

Treatment for Fordyce spots
While these little spots can be somewhat unsightly, they're also really common. In fact, some dermatologists say that about 80 percent of all adults have spots like this somewhere on their bodies. Simple acceptance of the dots could be a solution for some men, as long as they've been to the doctor and ensured that the spots aren't due to something more serious. In general, Fordyce spots are more obvious to the owner than to any outside observers, so most men can be assured that this dermatological anomaly is not going to be off-putting to a partner.

With that said, any man who is sexually active, whether or not he develops any visible symptoms, should schedule regular checkups to be tested for a variety of partner-transmitted diseases, and safe sex should be practiced for every encounter.

Furthermore, those men who simply cannot live with a dotted penis can visit with a dermatologist and explore other options, including laser surgeries, chemical peels and acid treatments. These steps aren't without risk, of course, and they are not always guaranteed to be effective, but they may offer something of a solution for men who are especially concerned.

On the other hand, men who want to do something about their appearance, but who don't want to jeopardize their junk with serious surgeries or other harsh procedures, might choose to invest in a penis health crème. These products (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) contain softening agents that can help the skin to stay moisturized and silky-smooth, which may help to improve the overall appearance of the penis. A penis that is treated on a daily basis with a nutrient-rich cream is more likely to look and feel at the peak of good health and to provide all the pleasurable sensations that men hope for.