Fordyce spots (scared of HPV)

[Roberto31]

Hello Doctor,

Since I dont remember when, I have always had sensitive (sometimes itchy) feeling on my penis mostly the foreskin.  Since last year, I have noticed white spots (slightly elevated) a little everywhere under and over my foreskin.  The spits on the inner foreskin are bigger than the ones on the exterior.  On the exterior, it is more like tinny white spots.  It is the tinny white spots which give me discomfort when rubbing on my briefs and seem to itch at times.  I went to a GP and a dermatologist and they both diagnose the spots as being fordyce spots.  I have been with my wife since 9 years and always used protections my whole life (I have had one sexual partner before her and used protection).  My wife and I want to start trying for a baby, and what worries me with these spots is that I am scared to have GW (HPV) because of the symptoms I have.  I would like to send a picture if possible please, so I could be reassured by a specialist that my symptoms are normal.
Thank you

[Roberto31]

Thank you very much Dr.  Hook!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

If the spots you describe are particualrly sensitive, that would not be normal HOWEVER my sense is that you are a bit concerned about them and thus I wonder if perhaps you are either more aware of the sensations you describe OR you have been examiing yourself and in that way taumatized yourself a bit.  In general, if there were a major problem, the areas of discomfort would progress and become more irritated, not be a a stable/steady state.  EWH

[Roberto31]

Thank you for your response Dr.  Hook.
If I may ask, can it be normal that the tiny spots on the exterior of my foreskin are sensitive and give me discomfort when rubbing against my briefs?
Thank you

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  I'll try to help but we do not look at pictures on this Forum.  Too much past experience has shown us that pictures are more often misleading than not.  You have been directly examined by two trained clinicians who agree on your diagnosis.m thus it is highly unlikely that you have genital warts rather than Fordyce spots.

I would add that fears about HPV are misplaced.  While most women (over 85%) have HPV, congenital infections acquired in pregnancy and at delivery are vanishingly rare.  Thus even if you or your wife have HPV, there is no realistic risk of infecting a child born to you.  Please do not worry.  EWH