Doctor Explains: The Real Reason Behind Strange White Bumps on Intimate Areas

Your skin tells you a lot about what’s happening inside your body, but sometimes you might spot something that instantly makes you anxious. For example, small white bumps on your lips or private areas can make you feel quite insecure.

It’s natural for your thoughts to immediately jump to skin problems, infections, or even sexually transmitted diseases. But, in most cases, there’s no need to panic. These spots often turn out to be completely normal and harmless.

Fordyce Spots: The Unknown but Common White Bumps

The white bumps you might notice are called Fordyce spots. The name might sound clinical, but it comes from dermatologist John Addison Fordyce, who described this skin phenomenon back in 1896. Although he contributed a lot to medical science, he is ironically best remembered for this harmless skin feature. These bumps appear somewhere on almost everyone’s body, so they are far from rare.

What You See: A Natural Occurrence

Fordyce spots are enlarged sebaceous (oil) glands located just under the skin. These glands produce sebum, an oily substance that keeps your skin supple and protects against dryness. You may find them on the border of your lips, inside your cheeks, or on the penis, foreskin, scrotum, or labia.

They generally appear white or yellowish, are painless, and often show up in small groups. While they can sometimes be considered cosmetically annoying, they are entirely benign.

It’s easy to panic when you first notice these spots. They sometimes resemble conditions like genital warts, herpes, or other skin problems. However, experts confirm that Fordyce spots are NOT a sexually transmitted disease. As the Cleveland Clinic reassures: “The presence of Fordyce spots in these areas is completely normal and they are not contagious.” That brings relief, especially considering their sensitive locations.

Medical Confusion Is Common

Though Fordyce spots are usually harmless, they can be mistaken in their early stages for other skin conditions, such as molluscum contagiosum, milia, epidermoid cysts, or even genital warts. This confusion makes it wise to consult your doctor if you’re in doubt. A physician can quickly and clearly determine if it’s Fordyce spots or something else that might require treatment.

No Need to Panic

If you’ve ever gazed into the mirror in fear after spotting a few white dots in your most sensitive places, you’re certainly not alone. Worrying that there’s something wrong with your health is only natural. But these oil glands are not a sign of illness, danger, or poor hygiene. They are a normal part of your skin structure and serve a protective function. There’s no need to have them removed, and they don’t pose a threat to you or your partner.

A Memorable Name

It’s a curious thought that a respected physician such as Dr. Fordyce is now mainly remembered because of these harmless skin features. If you ever discover something groundbreaking, you naturally hope for a different kind of legacy than having your name forever linked to bumps on someone’s private parts. Still, the reassurance he brought is worth a lot.

Curious to read more from the source? See the original Dutch article here.