Fordyce spots are oil glands, which are triggered to enlarge at the onset of puberty.

They are very common; approximately 80% of adults have them somewhere on the body, and those who have them tend to be born with them. They are not caused by infection or injury, and there is no way to avoid Fordyce spots.

Fordyce spots are not a sexually transmitted infection, so the use of condoms will not make any difference. Those with Fordyce spots already have them as part of their normal anatomy, and as they are not infectious, there is no possibility of transmission to sexual partners.

Condoms are, however, an effective way to prevent sexually transmitted infections.

Fordyce spots can appear on anyone; however, they are twice as likely to be found in men than women, and may be more common in people with oily skin.

The presence of fordyce spots also appears to increase with age.

You cannot prevent having Fordyce spots, as they are present at birth as a natural occurrence.

Some people choose to remove them for cosmetic reasons, but removal is not medically advised or necessary.

No.

Fordyce spots are not infectious; therefore, you cannot spread them to your partner.

Fordyce spots are typically diagnosed through a visual examination.

In some cases, examination under magnification may be necessary to confidently confirm Fordyce spots and rule out other conditions.

If there is any doubt in the diagnosis, your clinician may recommend a biopsy of the lesion. This involves a small sample of the spot being removed with the aid of local anaesthetic and examined under a microscope to study the cellular structure. However, a visual examination is usually enough to make a definitive diagnosis.

Fordyce spots are best diagnosed following a visual examination by an experienced clinician. If the spots are on the genitalia, it is important to rule out other conditions such as genital herpes or genital warts, which may require treatment. An examination is only performed with your explicit consent, and your clinician will treat you with the utmost respect and dignity.

In some cases, fordyce spots can be assessed through a photograph of the lesions, combined with a thorough discussion about the clinical history.

There are a few conditions that may look similar to fordyce spots, such as:

• Genital warts
• Genital herpes
• Molluscum contagiosum
• Skin inflammation such as folliculitis
• Other benign skin conditions such as milia (hard bumps on the skin, indicating a build-up of keratin)

If you are unsure whether you have Fordyce spots, particularly if they are newly visible, it is important to consult your clinician for an accurate diagnosis.

There is no medical benefit to removing your fordyce spots. Those who choose to have their fordyce spots removed do so for the aesthetic benefit, especially in relation to their confidence.

You do not need to have your Fordyce spots removed unless you wish to do so. This is a decision that should be made after consulting with a clinician.

Fordyce spots are present for life (unless removed) and do not tend to change much over time.

They may become more or less noticeable as you age; however, they do not tend to increase or decrease in number over time.

Fordyce spots do not increase your risk of infection or malignancy and are not associated with systemic disease.

It is not necessary to tell your partners if you have fordyce spots as they are a normal aspect of human anatomy, and are completely harmless.

Nevertheless, it may be useful to educate your partner on fordyce spots and reassure them that they do not pose any health risk.