Fordyce spots (syn. Fordyce’s granules)

Fordyce spots are a normal finding, presenting as small, slightly raised, smooth, yellow-white spots on the vermilion border of the lips, oral mucosa and the genitalia.

This chapter is set out as follows:

• Fordyce spots occur in approximately 85% of the population
• They are a variant of sebaceous glands, containing neutral lipids similar to those found in skin sebaceous glands, but are not associated with hair follicles 

• They usually become apparent during or after puberty 
• Lesions are asymptomatic 

Distribution

• The vermilion border of the lips and the oral mucosa, especially the buccal mucosa
• The penis, scrotum and labia

Morphology

• Multiple, smooth, yellow-white papules, 1-5 mm in diameter

• Fordyce spots are harmless and do not require treatment