Fordyce’s Condition

Definition

Fordyce's spots, also known as Fordyce's disease or Fordyce's condition. They are generally non-infectious and usually resolve themselves. Though in some serious cases, vaporising laser treatment may be used if they are of cosmetic concern. Oral lesions increase in frequency with age and appear in the majority of elderly individuals.

Fordyces Condition is a common condition in which small yellow dots are observed in the oral mucous membrane; these represent misplaced sebaceous glands. Fordyces Condition is a chronic degenerative skin disorder. It is characterised by small, yellowish growths, usually on the face.

Causes of Fordyce's Condition

Causes of Fordyce's Condition are as:

• This problem can be related to genetics. It is more common in those families which are previously caused by this problem.
• This disease is not contagious. It is not transmitted from one person to other.
• Fordyces Condition is most common amoung children and young adults, the reason is not known. Tiny yellow dots in groups and sometimes in sheets on the lips, inside the mouth, and sometimes on the genital skin are the causes of fordyce's condition.
• The papules are present at birth but only become prevalent when the child reaches puberty.
• Fordyce's condition is not a contagious disease, i.e do not get transmitted from one person to other easily.
• Viral infection, may be another cause for fordyce's condition.
• The overgrowth of sebaceous glands, may also lead to formation of fordyce's disease.

Symptoms of Fordyce's Condition

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

Treatments of Fordyce's Condition

• Tretinoin Gel or Cream is another effective treatment for curing fordyce's condition. Apply this one daily to the affected areas. Tretinoin can be used in combination with alpha hydroxy acid agents.
• By the use of laser vaporization, you can destroy the unwanted growth of the skin.
• Fordyce's Condition is sometimes removed with diathermy or liquid nitrogen freezing.
• Individual lesions may be removed by light cautery.
• Accutane can be used for chronic cases of fordyces condition.
• TCA chemical peels are sometimes prescribed for instant cure, but Fordyce's Condition reappear as soon as treatment is stopped.