Fordyce Spots or STD? Harmless Bumps Explained
Quick answer
Fordyce spots are small, yellowish or white bumps made of normal oil glands that sit close to the skin surface without a hair follicle. They are not an infection, are not sexually transmitted and cannot be passed to a partner. They can appear on the lips, inside the cheeks, on the penis, and on the vulva or inside the vagina. Some STDs can start out looking like Fordyce spots, so if a bump is painful, blistered, open or growing, get it checked.
Does this sound like Fordyce spots?
Tick the field marks that match.
The more of these match, the more it looks like Fordyce spots. This is not a diagnosis. New, painful, growing or open bumps should be seen by a clinician.
Noticing small bumps on your lips or genitals can be alarming, especially if you’ve never seen them before. If the bumps are tiny and don’t change, they are very often Fordyce spots, which are a normal part of skin and have nothing to do with sex or infection.
What are Fordyce spots?
Fordyce spots are visible oil glands. Most oil glands open into a hair follicle. These ones sit without a hair follicle, on the lips, cheeks and genital skin, so they show as small bumps.
They are a normal variant. They are not an infection, they are not sexually transmitted, and they don’t need treatment. They are present in about 80% of adults.
Where do Fordyce spots appear?
They can appear on the lining of the mouth and on genital skin:
- The vermilion border of the lips and the inside of the cheeks.
- The glans or shaft of the penis.
- The vulva and vagina.
They become bigger and more visible from puberty onwards.
What do Fordyce spots look like?
Fordyce spots are usually:
- Small, about 1 to 5 millimeters across.
- Slightly raised and yellowish or white.
- Scattered, or in groups of many small spots.
- Easier to see when the skin is stretched, for example on an erect penis.
How are Fordyce spots different from genital warts or herpes?
- Genital warts are caused by HPV. They are flat, raised or stalked growths. They can appear at several genital sites and can increase in size or number over time.
- Herpes often causes painful blisters or shallow sores. Many herpes infections are mild or go unrecognized, so it can be hard to tell by looking.
- Fordyce spots are small, yellowish or white, and normal.
Some STDs can start out looking like Fordyce spots on the genitals. That is why a bump that is new, growing or unlike the others should be looked at.
Are Fordyce spots contagious?
No. They are not an infection, so there is nothing to pass on to a partner through kissing, oral sex or other sexual contact.
Can I treat or remove them?
You don’t need to. Fordyce spots are generally harmless and do not require treatment. Avoid picking or squeezing them, because the skin can become irritated.
If they bother you, a dermatologist can talk through removal. Electrosurgery and CO2 laser have been used successfully, but these are optional.
What if I’m worried about a partner noticing them?
A short, calm explanation is enough. They are normal oil glands, they aren’t contagious, and they don’t need treatment. You don’t owe anyone a medical history for normal skin.
When should I get checked?
A bump that is not a Fordyce spot may be worth a visit. See a clinician if a bump:
- Is painful, bleeding or leaking.
- Looks like a blister or an open sore.
- Is growing, rough or irregular in shape.
- Appeared quickly, or after a possible exposure.
- Doesn’t match the other bumps around it.
A clinician can usually identify Fordyce spots just by looking. If they suspect something else, they can swab a sore, and you can order an online STD test.
Get care today if
- A bump is very painful, hot, swollen or leaking pus
- You have open sores or blisters together with a fever or feeling generally unwell
- You can't pass urine, or the pain is severe
- Your immune system is weakened, for example by HIV or chemotherapy, and a new skin change is spreading
Call 911 for a medical emergency. Otherwise, urgent care or your doctor can see you today.
When to test
- If the bumps are new, painful or changingSee a clinician. Fordyce spots are usually diagnosed by looking at them, but some STDs can start out looking similar, so a proper diagnosis matters.
- If you had a possible exposure and notice a new bumpHave a doctor or clinician examine it, and order an online STD test if an infection is possible.
- If you only want reassuranceA clinician or dermatologist can usually confirm Fordyce spots at a routine visit. A skin biopsy is rarely needed.
Common questions
Are Fordyce spots an STD?
No. Fordyce spots are sebaceous (oil) glands that show through the skin. They are not sexually transmitted and they are not infectious.
Can I give Fordyce spots to a partner?
No. They are a normal feature of your own skin, so they can't be passed on through sex, kissing or skin contact.
Do Fordyce spots go away?
They are generally harmless and need no treatment. If they bother you, electrosurgery and CO2 laser have been used to remove them, and a dermatologist can talk through the options.
Should I squeeze them?
No. Avoid picking or squeezing them.
How are Fordyce spots different from genital warts?
Fordyce spots are small, yellowish or white and are normal oil glands. Genital warts are flat, raised or stalked growths caused by HPV, and they can increase in size or number over time.
Sources
This guide is general information written by a patient advocate using public health sources. It is not a diagnosis. Only a clinician who examines you, or a lab test, can tell you what you have. Read how we write and check our guides.