Challenges are real.
Are you concerned about Fordyce spots that appear in certain areas of your body? How to get rid of Fordyce spots might seem like insurmountable task.
You are not alone in this.
Sometimes we despair and fret because of these painless bumps.
It’s a common problem.
According to studies, in every ten adults, eight of them are likely to have Fordyce spots. It might create a cosmetic distress to you.
However, there is no need to worry. This condition is neither contagious nor harmless.
The good news is that you can get rid of them.
What Are Fordyce Spots?
Fordyce spots are small bumps that occur on the edge of your lips, the shaft of the penis, scrotum or emerge on the labia.
In many cases, Fordyce spots appear during puberty. They can occur in clusters or single lesions.
Fordyce spots develop from ectopic sebaceous glands when the sebum is trapped because of the absence of hair follicles.
Is There A Cause Of Fordyce Spots?
Immediately you note Fordyce spots; you might think that it might be an STD. However, these spots are not associated with any disease.
They occur naturally in the body. About 70% to 80% of people have them; hence it is a common problem.
Although the exact genesis of this issue is not known, experts think that it is caused by genetic factors. These spots can be detected during birth but can they get noticed at puberty.
Another factor as mentioned before is that they develop when the sebum is trapped because of an absence of hair follicles.
Fordyce spots were named after an American dermatologist by the name John Addison Fordyce.
Is It Possible To Get Rid Of Fordyce Spots?
Fordyce can be annoying because they tamper with your appearance especially if they occur at the edge of your lips.
Are you uncertain of where to start?
Here is the solution.
Even though doctors don’t recommend treatment of Fordyce granules, you can still get rid of them. You might be insecure about them especially if they appear in your genital areas.
You can either use home remedies or medical treatment.
#1. Medical care
Visit a dermatologist
It’s nice to visit a dermatologist first so that it can be confirmed that you have Fordyce spots.
- Laser treatments
Your dermatologist can recommend to you the laser treatments available. The laser treatments will depend on your budget. Co2 laser treatment is an example of vaporizing laser treatments. The problem with Co2 treatment is that it can leave you with scars and it is also expensive.
- Micro-punch treatment
This is a surgery whereby a small hole is punched on your skin to get rid of tissue using a pen-like device. Most hair transplant surgery uses this procedure.
Micro-punch surgery does not lead to scars as compared to Co2 lasers.
Before this surgery is performed, you will be given a local anesthetic to eliminate pain. This is one of the quickest surgeries that are carried out in minutes even to those with many spots.
A report that was published in 2011 indicated that Micro-punch technique could successfully cure Fordyce spots.
- Topical prescription creams
If you don’t like the above methods, you could try topical prescription creams. Research shows that Fordyce spots can also be caused by the hormonal imbalance that results from pregnancy, puberty or menopause just the way they cause acne.
Some creams used to treat acne can also treat Fordyce sports. You can try Fordyce gel or cream on the affected areas.
Fordyce cream prevents the spots from getting worse and even makes them disappear with time.
You can also try Topical Liposomal Gel of Clindamycin which works well for sebaceous glands that have been inflamed.
- Isotretinoin
Isotretinoin is a drug that you can use in case the spots appear again after treatment or after applying a particular medication. If you are pregnant, don’t use this drug as it affects the foetus and can also damage your liver.
This drug has side effects such as rashes, urinary problems, hair thinning temporarily, joint and muscle pain and dry skin among other side effects.
- Try Photodynamic therapy
This is a therapy whereby 5-aminolevulinic acid is applied on your skin and penetrates. A dye laser or blue light source is then activated on your skin.
This treatment is a bit expensive and can treat acne or cancer.
- Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is a less painful procedure whereby the Fordyce spots are destroyed using freezing temperatures. However, you might experience side effects such as damage to surrounding nerves and tissues.
You might experience minimal redness and pain after the procedure. You can use analgesics like ibuprofen, aspirin or acetaminophen.
- Electrosurgery
Electrosurgery or surgical diathermy involves the cutting of small blood vessels to impede bleeding using a high-frequency alternating current. This procedure results in burning and damage of localized tissues. However, muscle burning can be controlled by the frequency of an electrosurgical generator.
This YouTube video indicates how to remove Fordyce spots through electrosurgery.
#2. Home remedies
Home remedies can be amazing ways to treat Fordyce spots because they are less expensive. Always consult a skin specialist first to confirm that the spots you have are Fordyce spots.
Method #1. Vitamin Mix
Ingredients:
- 40ml of Luke warm water
- 50ml of lemon syrup
- 50ml of orange juice
- A spoon
Directions:
- Add 50ml of lemon syrup in 10-20ml of lukewarm water.
- Stir the mixture using a spoon.
- Pour 50ml of orange juice in the mixture and stir with a spoon again.
- Make sure the mixture is well diluted by adding water and mixing it.
- After a few minutes, dab cotton swabs in the mixture.
- Place the soaked cotton swabs on the affected area for about 5 minutes.
- Do this procedure three times a day.
Benefits of this procedure:
You will realize that most of the ingredients used above have Vitamin C. Vitamin C is among the best remedies for Fordyce spots.
Chemical compounds in Vitamin C are responsible for healing the affected places. You use water because it keeps the pores open so that Vitamin C can penetrate in the Fordyce spots and cures them.
Method #2. Garlic Juice
Ingredients:
- 200ml of water
- 50ml of lemon juice
- A blender
- Two pieces of garlic
- Weight for crushing
Directions:
- Crush the two garlic pieces using a weight and transfer them to a bowl.
- Put 2ml of water inside the bowl and dilute the garlic.
- Add 50ml of lemon juice in the mixture to add flavor.
- Blend the mixture and transfer it to a container.
- Drink it.
- Do this three times a day after meals or before.
Benefits of using this method:
Garlic is an anti-inflammatory agent hence it reduces the effects of Fordyce spots. It reduces the spots over time due to its anti-oxidant properties.
Vitamin C in lemon helps to prevent further infections.
Method #3. Coconut Oil
Ingredients:
- 5 Cloves of garlic
- 200ml of coconut oil
- A cooking pan
- A fridge
- A stove
Directions:
- Put 200ml of coconut oil in a pan.
- Place the cooking pan on a stove and add five garlic cloves to coconut oil.
- Cook the cloves and coconut oil at a low flame.
- Turn the stove off after2-3 hours.
- You can then separate the coconut oil and the garlic cloves.
- Transfer the coconut oil in a container and keep it in the fridge for cooling.
- After cooling, apply the oil on the affected area.
- Use running water from a tap to wash the area.
- You should do this once a day.
Benefits of this procedure:
We use coconut oil because it aids in replacing damaged skin with new cells and also conditions the affected area. Garlic is used because it has antibacterial properties.
How Can You Prevent Fordyce Spots?
Fordyce spots might not be painful, but they can tamper with your attractive appearance especially if they occur on your lips.
Preventing them is important.
You can do it in the following ways.
#1. Proper hygiene
Did you know that oil can build up clogs on your glands which might result in spots? Keep your genital and upper lips clean and the rest of your body too.
You can also use antibacterial soap to unclog the pores.
#2. Diet
You need enough Vitamins daily to ensure the proper functioning of your body. Take plenty of Vitamin C so that you can reduce bumps.
Fordyce spots are ugly. Nobody would want to have them.
If you have never had them, make an effort of preventing them. You can keep your skin clean with an antibacterial soap like Dial antibacterial soap.
No need to panic if you have them. From the above information, it is possible to get rid of them.
After confirming that you have Fordyce spots, you can get rid of them using home remedies or treat them medically.
Creams can be an easy way to eliminate them if you don’t have time to prepare home remedies. Consider using Fordyce gel as one of the treatment methods.
How to get rid of Fordyce spots can be easy depending on the method chosen. If you don’t see any change after treatment, seek medical advice from a doctor.
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