Last updated on October 4, 2020
Question:
Hi,
I’m worried about two bumps. At first, they were scabs. I don’t know how it happened, maybe from excessive masturbation, but it’s been a week and a half since the scabs fell off. Now they have a hard tip on top almost like a white head. I do use lotion, so maybe the lotion clogs the pours? Is this a clogged Fordyce Spot? I don’t know. Please help. It looks like this now:
Answer:
It is not a Fordyce spot, at least not directly. They are called sebaceous cysts. These can appear on the scrotum or anywhere on your skin as well. They often show up in teenagers as their hormones make various glands go into overdrive. Your skin has oil glands that can’t get the oil out fast enough. What you are seeing is semi-harden oil just underneath the skin that causes a small bump.
Neither the masturbation nor the lotion directly caused the problem. Some men are just prone to clogged oil glands. However, since you mentioned a scab, I assume you rubbed your penis raw and in the healing, it is possible that the oil glands get clogged.
So long as the swelling remains small bumps, and there is no redness or pain (indications of an infection), then there is nothing to be concerned about. It is estimated at 5 to 10 percent of all men have this condition. After your growth stops the condition will begin to fade.
Most often the cysts will fade on their own. If they swell significantly, see a doctor who can lance them and remove the hardened oil.