What Causes White Spots to Form on Your Foreskin? Fordyce spots | Pearly Penile Papules | Pimple | Folliculitis

Is this cause for concern?

Many things can cause white spots to form on your foreskin. For example, some men are born with conditions that cause them, or they may develop spots if they don’t bathe regularly. They’re also a common symptom of certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Keep reading to learn more about what may be causing your symptoms and how to treat it.

Penile papules

Penile papules are rows of tiny white growths around the head, or glans, of your penis. Penile papules are harmless. It’s not clear what causes them, but they’re not associated with any condition or STI.

What treatment options are available?

Your doctor usually won’t recommend removal unless the papules cause you anxiety or stress.

Possible options for removal include:

• Excisional surgery. Your doctor will use a scalpel to cut each papule off.
• Laser surgery. Your doctor will use laser surgical techniques to break apart and remove the papules.
• Cryosurgery. Your doctor will use liquid nitrogen to freeze the papules, causing them to break off your penis.

Fordyce spots

Fordyce spots are enlarged sebaceous glands that are visible on the surface of your skin. Sebaceous glands help keep your skin moisturized. They’re normally covered by skin, but they can appear on your skin in clusters of white spots.

Fordyce spots are harmless. They can appear almost anywhere on your body, including the foreskin of your penis. You’re usually born with them, though they may not appear until you go through puberty.

What treatment options are available?

Your doctor usually won’t recommend treatment unless you want them removed.

Possible options for removal include:

• Laser treatment. Your doctor will use laser surgical techniques to remove tissue and minimize the appearance of Fordyce spots.
• Micro-punch surgery. Your doctor will use a device to poke through your skin and remove tissue that’s causing the Fordyce spots.

Pimple

Pimples can develop when body oils or dead tissues get stuck in your pores and cause blockage. When your pores are blocked, bacteria can grow and fill the pore with infected pus. This causes a pimple to turn white.

Pimples are usually harmless and will fade in time. Don’t pop a pimple. This can make the inflammation worse or cause permanent scars. Let them disappear on their own.

What treatment options are available?

You can help treat pimples by applying benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid to remove bacteria and excess skin and oils. But don’t use acne medication intended for your face or other parts of your body on your penis.

Folliculitis

Folliculitis occurs when the follicles that hold individual hairs become swollen. This may result from a bacterial infection, fungal infection, or ingrown hair.

Folliculitis can be itchy and irritating. However, it usually isn’t harmful unless it results from an infection that goes untreated.

See your doctor right away if you notice any of these symptoms:

• burning or itching
• pus or discharge from white bumps or blisters
• pain or tenderness around bumps

What treatment options are available?

Depending on the cause, folliculitis can be treated with antibiotics or creams for fungal or bacterial infections.

If you frequently get folliculitis, your doctor may recommend laser surgery to remove hair follicles or procedures to drain and clean larger infections.

When to see your doctor

White spots that appear on your foreskin aren’t always a cause for concern. Oftentimes, they disappear within a few days or weeks. If your symptoms last longer than a week or two, see your doctor for diagnosis.

See your doctor if you begin experiencing:

• pain
• swelling
• soreness
• redness or irritation
• dry, cracked skin
• rash
• clear discharge
• clusters of 20 or more red or white bumps
• cauliflower-shaped areas of bumps

Sometimes, white spots on your foreskin are a sign of an STI or other infection. These can lead to long-term complications if left untreated.