Introduction:
Fordyce angiokeratoma is a non-cancerous skin condition in which tiny red to purple dots are present on the dermis. It usually appears as clusters or in bunch form on the private parts of the male and female and around the mouth. It also can occur anywhere in the human body. The private parts include the penis, vulva, and scrotum. These bumps or papules do not cause any harm to the people's skin. These also do not spread from one person to another. The symptoms include pain and bleeding. John Addison Fordyce first described the term Fordyce angiokeratoma on the skin in 1896. Fordyce angiokeratoma affects 0.16% of Americans or white men. The condition affects males at birth. The article discusses Fordyce angiokeratoma, its types, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
What Is Angiokeratoma?
Angiokeratoma is a non-cancerous skin condition. It appears as tiny red to purple dots on the private parts of the male or female. These dots are rough on touch and one to six millimeters in diameter. The other sites of angiokeratoma can be the thighs, trunk, legs, groin, and around the mouth. Angiokeratoma is derived from the Greek word. Angio means vessels, kera means horn, and toma means tumor.
What Are the Types of Angiokeratoma?
The types of angiokeratoma are as follows:
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Solitary Angiokeratoma: The lesion in which a single red to purple dot is present on the skin surface.
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Angiokeratoma of Fordyce: These are present on the private parts of the male and female. The male genitalia includes the penis and scrotum. The female genitalia consists of the vulva. It occurs mainly in males over the age of 50 years. It also occurs in females who are taking birth control pills and who are pregnant.
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Angiokeratoma of Mibelli: These mainly occur in females at birth. These skin lesions occur between the fingers or toes. The other sites include breasts, elbows, or knees. The symptoms include pain, itching, and bleeding.
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Angiokeratoma Circumscriptum: These appear as a discolored lesion on the thigh, butt, neck, tongue, trunk, tongue, or scrotum in the newborn baby. The symptoms include pain and itching scaly patches that easily bleed.
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Angiokeratoma Corpis Diffusum: The red dots appear on the abdomen, genitals, trunk, hips, and knees. This can occur in any stage of life, such as childhood or adulthood.
What Are the Causes of Fordyce Angiokeratoma?
Fordyce angiokeratoma is caused due to expansion of the blood vessels in the dermis layer. The condition can be genetic or acquired. The acquired Fordyce angiokeratoma can be due to environmental factors. The following factors contribute to the development of Fordyce angiokeratoma:
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Blood Vessel Abnormalities: Blood vessel abnormalities cause the expansion of the blood vessels to present close to the skin surface. The structural abnormalities lead to blood vessel enlargement.
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Genetic Predisposition: The condition can be genetically inherited due to genetic mutations.
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Age: The condition mainly occurs in the age between 30 and 60. It is more common in adults and rare in children and adults.
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Hormonal Factors: Hormonal changes during puberty and pregnancy can affect the function of the blood vessels. Due to the abnormality in the blood vessels, the lesions are formed.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Fordyce Angiokeratoma?
The symptoms of Fordyce angiokeratoma are as follows:
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Appearance: The tiny red dots appear on the dermis layer of the skin. These lesions are multiple and appear in groups. The size of these lesions is one to six millimeters in diameter.
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Texture: The raised lesions' surface is smooth or rough to the touch.
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Color: The color of the lesions are red to purple. The color change is due to the expansion of the blood vessels.
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Site: The red to purple dots are on the private parts (scrotum and penis) of the males and (vulva) of females. The other sites are the groin, inner thighs, neck, around the mouth, and lower abdomen.
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Symptoms: In some people, the condition does not show any symptoms. The disease does not cause any harm to people, including pain and discomfort. If an individual with the condition shows symptoms, then the symptoms include pain, itching, tenderness, and bleeding.
How can Fordyce angiokeratoma be diagnosed?
Fordyce angiokeratoma can be diagnosed in the following ways:
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Physical Examination: The healthcare provider, including a dermatologist, will examine the skin lesions by looking into the size, color, appearance, texture, and symptoms.
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Dermoscopy: The healthcare provider may use a dermatoscope to check the skin lesions. The device will help in magnifying the skin lesions.
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Biopsy: The healthcare provider will take a sample from the red dots and send it to the laboratory to check under a microscope to confirm the diagnosis.
How Can Fordyce Angiokeratoma Be Managed?
Non-cancerous does not cause symptoms in some people, so it does not require treatment. Some people show signs that need treatment. The treatment options are as follows:
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Symptomatic Treatment: The dermatologist may prescribe over-the-counter drugs, including topical creams or ointments, to relieve the patient temporarily. The creams or ointments containing ingredients should be calamine or hydrocortisone.
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Laser Therapy: The doctor may use a pulsed dye laser to constrict the blood vessels. The safe and effective method help in decreasing the symptoms, including the size and redness of the lesion. The lesions can be treated in multiple sittings of laser therapy.
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Electrodesiccation: The doctor may inject local anesthesia and then use an electric current to damage the blood vessels. This also helps treat the lesion by reducing the size of the red dots.
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Surgical Excision: If the lesion cause severe discomfort, pain, or bleeding to the patient, then the doctor may prescribe surgical removal of the lesion. The procedure is done under local anesthesia. There may be a presence of the scar after the removal of the lesion. The lesion may also reoccur after the removal of the lesion.
Conclusion:
Fordyce angiokeratoma is a non-cancerous skin lesion. It mainly appears on the private parts of the male and female. These skin lesions do not hurt the patient. If the patient complains of severe pain, bleeding, and discomfort, then there is a need to consult a dermatologist. The dermatologist will treat the condition by providing symptomatic relief drugs. If topical creams or ointments do not cure the lesion, the doctor may prescribe laser, therapy, electrodesiccation, or surgical excision. People should adopt safe sex practices by using condoms.
