Fox-Fordyce disease - symptoms, causes, treatment

granules Fordyce - what is it, what are the symptoms of this disease, and the possible causes of the existing treatments?It is these issues and we will devote an article.


Fordyce granules, or so-called seborrheic cysts are sebaceous glands which appear as bright pimples on the skin of genitals (penis, lips and so on.) As well as in the groin, in the lips, nipples, oral mucosa, etc..


name these formations comes from the name of the famous scientist Fordyce, who described these cysts in 1896.It should be noted that the granules Fordyce never cause any harm.In addition, they are not contagious, is not transmitted during body contact and are considered quite normal education.But all the same, there are cases when patients with these symptoms seek medical help.However, this happens only when Fordyce granules represent a significant cosmetic defect.


Currently, scientists still do not fully understand why these granules are formed on the skin and mucous membranes.Relati

ons shedding has also been observed, because the name "seborrheic cysts" is a translation of a defect.Correct to call Fordyce granules on the labia and other parts of the body visible ducts of the sebaceous glands.

Regarding seborrhea, then in patients with diagnosed there is a significant change in the composition of subcutaneous fat.In the future, this deviation leads to the fact that the sebaceous glands become clogged, resulting in and formed cysts in appearance very similar to Fordyce granules.Treatment of the disease is reduced to the fact that the patient is prescribed various ointments and creams that contain sulfur, salicylic acid, and sometimes even hormones.In addition, for oily seborrhea physician may recommend and tools such as "Chloral" and "Resorcinol" as well as other drugs that are used in the form of alcoholic solutions.

It should be noted that the granules Fordyce on the penis, testicles and other areas in the majority of cases occur in puberty.This pattern pushed scientists to ensure that the cause of seborrheic cysts is that the sebaceous gland in some people are closer to the top layer of the epidermis, it is necessary than the norm.Thus, a child from birth has special structure and arrangement of ducts.But during puberty (about thirteen to sixteen years) under the action of hormones (most often we are talking about the male sex hormone), there is some increase in activity of the glands, resulting in significantly increased saloobrazovaniya.This process leads to the fact that the so-called Fox-Fordyce disease on eggs, or other parts of the body are visible.

way, such people have seen a significant increase in the number of ductal glands (sebaceous).Therefore, they are much more likely to form these cysts, as in this case, the secret is not displayed glands and accumulates inside the cavity, which ultimately leads to a cosmetic defect.

Appearance pellets

To distinguish Fordyce granules from seborrhea, be sure to know exactly how they look.As is known, such cysts resemble small (about one to two millimeters in diameter), slightly protruding spots yellowish-white, which are often arranged in groups near the border of the lips, the glans of the penis, on the testicles, foreskin, on mucous membranescavity (sometimes eyes and eyelids) as well as on the skin of the labia majora.

It is particularly noteworthy that such cysts are painless and plentiful.Get rid of them alone is almost impossible.When pressed into pellets of the cavity is allocated only a small amount of a thick yellowish-white mass.Thereafter, in place of minor bleeding occurs to form fine granules around hematoma.After some time on the site extruded cyst reappears similar education.

pellets Species

Currently Fordyce granules are divided into two types:

  • pearly nodules on the penis;
  • Fox-Fordyce disease.

Consider the reasons for the appearance and features of cysts in more detail.

Pearly penile papules

Fordyce granules on the foreskin is a variant of the norm.Statistics show that such manifestations are found in almost thirty-five per cent of boys younger.These papules do not bring any harm, do not cause complications, and never transmitted sexually.In medical practice, presented a problem little studied, and therefore the effective therapy with respect to such displays of today do not exist.

way, the cause of this variety of experts also could not identify.While some scientists believe that these papules are formed as a result of excessive proliferation of the epithelium of the sebaceous glands, which are on the penis.We can not ignore the fact that some people, circumcision, such formations are very rare.This fact is due to the fact that an increased amount of smegma secretion and that, because of their chemical and physical properties of the epithelium irritate the penis and cause overgrowth of papules, quickly washed away during the hygiene procedures.

Fox-Fordyce Disease

Fordyce granules on your lips (sex) is an analog of pearly papules on the penis, but only in women.Clinic such a deviation is identical clinic formations on the testicles and foreskin.This damage usually occurs in apocrine sweat glands and to some extent related to the urogenital apparatus.The cause of the disease, Fox Fordyce women lies in the endocrine origin.These rashes most often occur on the pubic in the crotch, armpits, around the nipples and labia lips.Generally, granules Fordyce at women appear along with moderate pruritus, which often increases during menstruation.During this long period of illness, but often everything goes spontaneously to forty years.

Differentiation Fordyce granules

presented rashes, as well as their varieties (Fox-Fordyce disease, and papules on the penis) should be distinguished from such illnesses:

  • neurodermatitis;
  • molluscum contagiosum;
  • lichen planus;
  • focal chronic eczema.

No additional diagnostic methods for medical diagnosis, in addition to visual inspection specialist, as well as the exclusion of other diseases, is not required.

Treatment granules

As mentioned above, the official treatment of such deviation does not currently exist.Still, some experts are trying to find ways to solve this problem.Although this treatment is controversial and unconfirmed character.

As a rule, to eliminate this cosmetic defect, some doctors recommend using the cream "Retin-A" and jojoba oil.According to experts, such means at their long-term use, remove the fresh Fordyce granules, as well as to prevent the possible emergence of new ones.As for the old papules, then they are treated quite well by laser cauterization.

Surgical removal of these lesions are almost never used, because this method is the most radical.Self-removal of the pellets using a conventional extrusion is absolutely unacceptable.This is due to the fact that such self may cause severe inflammatory process with subsequent scarring of the skin.

is also worth noting that treatment with granules that are formed around a portion of the lips, is often reduced to a permanent tattoo, because in some cases, such localization is an aesthetic problem.In this age of thirty, most of these elements loses its convexity and brightness, as well as they become less noticeable.This fact is due to some decrease in formation of hormones and the activity of the sebaceous glands.