Fordyce Spots: Why You Might Notice Small White Bumps on Your Lips or Genitals
If you’ve ever seen small white or yellowish bumps on your lips or in your genital area, you’re far from alone. In fact, up to 70–80% of adults will notice them at some point in their lives. These bumps are known as Fordyce spots, and even though they may look strange or worrying, they are completely harmless.
Many people panic when they appear in sensitive areas, but the truth is:
Fordyce spots are a normal part of the body, not an infection, not dangerous, and not something you “catch.”
What Are Fordyce Spots?
Fordyce spots are simply visible oil glands. Everyone has sebaceous (oil) glands in their skin, but these ones appear in places where oil glands are usually not noticeable, such as:
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The border of the lips
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Inside the mouth
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The penis or scrotum
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The vulva or vagina
They usually appear as tiny, smooth bumps that range from 1–3 mm in size.
