Skin/Lip Question

[bfb7898]

I am latino and Part of my upper lip on the side has lost the color and has become white. Just curious what would cause this and if there is anything that can be done to prevent more lip color becoming white on my upper left. Is there also a way to re-gain the lip color where it has turned white?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Fordyce spots are small yellowish-white granules on the inner surface and border of the lips.
Treatment of Fordyce spots includes CO2 laser or electro desiccation, TCA chemical peels(temporary treatment),diathermy or laser vaporization.
Please discuss these treatment options with a dermatologist.
I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[bfb7898]

Thanks for your response. I have been to 2 dermatologist and they both have said its Fordyce Conditions. It is actually around my whole mouth now at the corners, bottom of my upper lip, and top of my lower lip. I just wish I could get it to go away. It’s really annoying and having an impact on my life. Hopefully in time it will go away in time(and SOON!!). The 2nd dermatologist tried a couple of steroid ointments, but none of them did a thing. I have noticed that Vitamin C helps darkens the area more and joba oil helps out somewhat as well. Do you have any other suggestions of how to disguise it or get rid of Fordyce condition all together? Does it eventually go away on its own?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms the possibility of vitiligo needs to be ruled out. It is a pigmentation disorder in which melanocytes (the cells that make pigment) in the skin are destroyed. As a result, white patches appear on the skin in different parts of the body. Diagnosis can be confirmed by external examination, blood tests to check skin cell count  for melanocytes and biopsy of the skin patches.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.