SEBACEOUS GLANDS (FORDYCE'S SPOTS)
Serving Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Grimsby and surrounding areas.
Sebaceous Glands (Fordyce's Spots)
General Information:
- Appear as small white or yellow dome-shaped bumps on the shaft of the penis and scrotum which are evenly spaced out from one another. Sometimes a tiny hair is visible in the centre.
- Consist of an enlarged oil gland attached to a hair follicle. They are visible in areas when the skin is very thin and translucent such as the genitals, inside of the mouth (cheeks), the edges of the lips and the corners of the mouth.
- Are not cancerous.
- Are not contagious.
- Are not warts.
- Are not herpes.
- Are not due to diet.
- Are not collections of calcium.
- Are normally found in most men.
Treatment:
- None is required.
- It is usually recommended to leave these lesions alone.
- They may be removed, if so desired, for cosmetic reasons, although the scarring that may result may be cosmetically inferior to the original appearance of the lesions.
Electrocautery:
- The skin adjacent to the Fordyce's Spots (Sebaceous Glands) is injected with a local anesthetic to numb the area.
- The injection stings for a few seconds. After this, there is no pain or discomfort.
- The Fordyce's Spots (Sebaceous Glands) are then treated with a fine electrical instrument (electrocautery) which feels hot to touch. As the area is numb from the anesthetic, the treatments are not painful.
- The Fordyce's Spots (Sebaceous Glands) turn into small crusts or scabs which fall off after about 1 week.
- Bleeding is rare.
- Stitches are not necessary.
- Bandages are not necessary.
- For 1 week after the procedure, apply a small amount of antibiotic cream daily.
- After the procedure you may bathe normally.
- During the healing phase, the crusts or scabs will fall off spontaneously. This will leave a pink mark that will gradually fade.
- After the removal, there may be a residual white mark.
- There is a significant likelihood that the Fordyce's Spots (Sebaceous Glands) could grow back, or new ones may develop. There is no way to prevent this.
- There is no cream at this time that will remove Fordyce's Spots (Sebaceous Glands), and there is no way to prevent them from developing.
- Treatment of Fordyce's Spots (Sebaceous Glands) is not covered by OHIP or private health insurance.
- A referral from a doctor is necessary to make your first appointment
What if you are interested to learn more?
For your convenience, the services above are available in my office.
What if you are interested to learn more?
If you would like to learn more:
- E-Mail Us
- Or give us a call at 905-549-1025