Sebaceous hyperplasia is a skin condition in which small, yellow
growths appear, often on the face. A variant of this condition is
known as Fordyce?s condition, Fordyce granules, Fordyce glands, or
ectopic sebaceous glands. (In case you wonder about the name
'Fordyce', the name comes from Dr. John Addison Fordyce, an American
dermatologist who first described the condition over one hundred years
ago).
Fordyce glands appear as groups of small, slightly raised
cream-colored or yellowish spots on the lips, inside the mouth, or
occasionally in the genital areas. The spots represent an overgrowth
of sebaceous glands (oil glands). Neither sebaceous hyperplasia nor
Fordyce?s condition is contagious, and neither typically presents any
danger to the overall health of the patient. Sebaceous hyperplasia and
Fordyce glands tend to run in families, but the exact cause is not yet
known.
Fordyce glands are often left untreated, since the condition generally
does not pose a health risk. If they affect a patient's appearance and
their removal is desired, there are several options, both chemical
(using prescription drugs such as Accutane and Retin-A, or chemical
skin peels) and physical (electrocautery, laser treatments). All of
these treatments are temporary measures, and are not a cure; new
lesions are likely to appear, and treatment becomes an ongoing
process.
"Fordyce Glands
These are very common skin lesions found in normal individuals. White
spots are seen on the inner walls of the buccal cheeks and along the
lips. They are aberrant oil glands and are harmless. There is no
specific treatment and is best left alone."
National Skin Centre
http://www.nsc.gov.sg/cgi-bin/WB_ContentGen.pl?id=157&gid=33
"Sebaceous hyperplasia is a common, benign condition of sebaceous
glands in middle-aged to older adults.... A variant of this condition,
known as Fordyce?s condition causes tiny yellow dots in groups and
sometimes in sheets on the lips, inside the mouth, and sometimes on
the genital skin. Lesions of sebaceous hyperplasia are benign, with no
known potential for malignant transformation. Neither sebaceous
hyperplasia or Fordyce?s condition is dangerous.
The cause is unknown and tends to run in families. While no treatment
is necessary, they can be treated by:
- Tretinoin cream or gel used daily will reverse the condition slowly
overtime and also help keep the condition from worsening.
- Accutane will reverse sebaceous hyperplasia, but new lesions will
develop after stopping the medication unless you also use tretinoin
cream regularly.
- TCA chemical peels will also reverse sebaceous hyperplasia, but new
lesions will occur slowly after treatment.
- They can be destroyed with electrocautery or laser."
Digital Naturopath
http://www.digitalnaturopath.com/cond/C617937.html
"Sebaceous hyperplasia is the term used for enlarged sebaceous glands
seen on the forehead or cheeks of the middle-aged and elderly. They
are sometimes confused with basal cell carcinoma. Sebaceous
hyperplasia appears as small yellow bumps up to 3 mm in diameter.
Close inspection reveals a central hair follicle.
Groups of sebaceous glands on mucosal surfaces are known as Fordyce
granules. These are clusters of yellow 1mm spots found on most
people's lips, inside the mouth and on the genitals.
Sebaceous hyperplasia is harmless and does not require any treatment.
However, individual lesions may be removed by light cautery, diathermy
or laser vaporization.
When the lesions are severe, extensive or disfiguring, oral
isotretinoin or, in females, antiandrogens, may help improve the
appearance."
From a cached copy of an article from DermNet NZ
http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:SV50Y9TRC7EJ:www.dermnetnz.org/pre/dna.acne/sebhyp.html
"Fordyce?s condition is usually left untreated."
SkinSite: Sebaceous Hyperplasia and Fordyce's Condition
http://www.skinsite.com/info_sebaceous_hyperplasia.htm
Google search strategy:
Google Web Search: "sebaceous hyperplasia" + "fordyce" + "treatment"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=%22sebaceous+hyperplasia%22+fordyce+treatment
Google Web Search: "ectopic sebaceous glands" + "fordyce" + "treatment"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=%22ectopic+sebaceous+glands%22+fordyce+treatment
I hope this helps! Please keep in mind that Google Answers is not a
source of authoritative medical advice, and the material I've
presented should not be viewed as a diagnosis nor as a substitute for
the services of a qualified medical professional. Let me know if
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Best wishes,
pinkfreud |
