Fordyce’s Condition - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Definition

Fordyce’s Condition is skin condition in which small and elevated yellow growths develop in groups on the lips, in the mouth, tongue, cheeks, female labia, and the penis. You may sometimes find it on the lower lip as well, even though it is rare. It is more prevalent in men. The condition is found in almost 90 percent of adult men. They may appear as single lesions or as symmetrical groups of 50. The spots are 2 to 5 mm in diameter. They are named after an American dermatologist, John Addison Fordyce. On the head of the penis, they are called Tyson glands, not to be confused with pearly penile papules. They may cause embarrassment when they appear on the genitals, but they are harmless and cannot be sexually transmitted.

Causes

1. The cause of this condition is still unknown. But it can be related to some situations.
2. This problem can be related to genetics. It is more common in those families which are previously caused by this problem.
3. This disease is not contagious. It is not transmitted from one person to other.
4. It is not caused by any viral infection.

Symptoms

1. Tiny yellow dots in groups and sometimes in sheets on the lips, in the mouth, tongue, cheeks, female labia, and the penis.
2. They may appear on the head of penis where they are called Tyson glands.
3. The papules are present at birth but only become prevalent when the child reaches puberty.

Treatment

1. Tretinoin cream or gel can be used to reverse sebaceous hyperplasia and will help preventing the condition from worsening.
2. A drug named accutane will reverse sebaceous hyperplasia, but they will again appear as the medication is not regular. Also the medicine is very expensive.
3. TCA chemical peels will also reverse sebaceous hyperplasia, but new lesions will occur slowly after treatment.
4. Fordyce’s condition generally required not treatment and remains for a long time without any harm or pain.