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Topics: Health
Brenna Cooper
So you've noticed a bunch of unfamiliar white bumps springing up around your lips and other areas... here's what you need to do.
Spotting any new or unexpected lumps and bumps on your body can understandably be a little concerning, particularly if they pop up in your genital region.
But hold on panicking, booking an appointment at your nearest clinic or texting any recent intimate partners just yet, as you may be dealing with a completely harmless and non-transmittable condition.
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As there's a chance you're simply dealing with Fordyce spots.
Named after American dermatologist Dr John Addison Fordyce, the man who first described the condition in 1896, Fordyce spots occur when the oil (sebaceous) glands in our skin become enlarged.
According to Heathline, these spots are a completely 'natural part of your anatomy' and show up in around 70 to 80 percent of adults.
So in other words, they're nothing special.
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The bumps typically appear on the lips, but are also known to show up on the penis, foreskin or scrotum, or the labia of the vagina. Rarely, spots which appear on the penis can bleed during intercourse.
While harmless, the spots do cause some worry due to their resemblance to other skin conditions like Molluscum contagiosum, milium cysts, epidermoid cysts, genital warts or herpes - which is likely what led you here.
In most cases Fordyce spots will usually sort themselves out, however, there are ways to have them removed should you wish.
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So if you're looking to take more aggressive action against these pesky bumps, here's what you can do, according to Cleveland Clinic:
If the above treatments sound a little invasive or daunting, there's also specialised topical treatments which you can purchase - typically a cream containing some form of retinoid - which should clear up your concerns in a couple of weeks.