Cherry Angioma: Causes, Treatments, And Risk Factors

Have you ever noticed a small, red dot on your skin that seemed to appear out of nowhere? It could be cherry angioma, also known as senile angioma. Fret not – as these spots are non-cancerous skin lesions common in adults over 40 years. They are mostly found on the chest, belly, back, arms, and legs. Although they don’t subside on their own, they are not dangerous. But you should still keep an eye on them and have them removed if necessary.

This article will discuss everything about cherry angiomas, their causes, how to treat them, and more. Keep reading.

Trivia

Cherry angioma was given the name Campbell De Morgan spots in honor of a surgeon who practiced medicine at Middlesex Hospital from 1842 to 1875 (1).

What Is A Cherry Angioma? How Does It Look?

According to surgical gastroenterologist ⁱ  A healthcare specialist trained in treating various disorders that affect the digestive tract, such as the intestines and the liver. Dr. Madathupalayam Madhankumar, “Cherry angiomas are red to blue mole-like skin growths occurring due to vascular proliferation (capillaries). These are non-cancerous. They appear as small bumps ranging from red to purple or blue in the size of a mole.”

A cherry angioma is red to purple or blue. It is round or oval in shape, similar to a papule. Its size could range from a pinpoint to one-fourth of an inch in diameter. Some cherry angiomas are flat, while others are slightly elevated (1). They are usually found on the chest, arms, legs, and shoulders.

Quick Tip

You are more likely to develop cherry angioma as you age. It was observed in approximately 7% of adolescents and 75% of adults above the age of 75 (1).

Symptoms Of A Cherry Angioma

• A bright red spot growth that appears on the skin.
• It may appear raised or flat.
• It can be of different colors but is mostly red, blue, or purple.
• It may be firm to the touch at the center.
• Bleeding, irritation, swelling, and other signs of inflammation.

A study published in the Controversies In Dermatology Journal, which was conducted on 1392 participants, found that multiple cherry angiomas (>30) were substantially correlated with advanced age, immunosuppressive medication, and skin cancers. Also, the presence of at least 10 cherry angiomas and melanoma were found to be significantly correlated in patients over the age of 50.

But what is the reason behind cherry angiomas? Keep scrolling to find out!

What Causes A Cherry Angioma?

The exact cause of a cherry angioma is not fully known, but some of the purported causes are (1):

• Genetics
• Aging
• Hormonal changes like pregnancy.
• Sun exposure.
• Chemical exposure, especially bromide (found in pesticides and food additives)
• Certain medical skin disorders
• Climate change
• Liver disease

Christine J. Ko

, MD, Professor of Dermatology and Pathology at Yale University, adds, “What we know now is that they seem to be an age-related phenomenon (young adults and children do not have them). There may be underlying genetic mutations in GNAQ and GNA11 in the cherry angioma, but the exact pathway of how those genetic changes lead to cherry angioma is not completely known.”

Cherry Angioma vs Petechiae

Cherry angiomas and petechiae are both skin conditions characterized by the appearance of red spots on the face and body, but they differ in their causes, symptoms, and significance in diagnosing other health-related issues.

• Cherry angiomas are benign, red, blue, or purple skin growths caused by an overgrowth of blood vessels. These growths are typically harmless and can be removed easily if they bleed or become irritated.
• Petechiae, on the other hand, are small red or purple pinpoint spots that appear on the skin due to bleeding under the skin’s surface. Unlike cherry angiomas, petechiae do not turn pale when pressure is applied. They can be caused by platelet disorders, infections, or skin trauma and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional as they may indicate an underlying health issue (1).

So, is it possible to remove a cherry angioma at home? Find out in the next section!

How To Get Rid Of A Cherry Angioma

There is no scientifically proven method to remove cherry angiomas at home. Therefore, people should not attempt to remove them using home remedies. Instead, they should consult a doctor.

Then, what is the best way to get rid of cherry angiomas? In the following section, you will learn about several treatment methods used to remove them.

Treatment Options For A Cherry Angioma

It is okay to leave cherry angiomas untreated as they do not create any health issues. But you have options if you want to remove them for cosmetic reasons. There are four effective options for treating angiomas (2):

1. Laser Surgery/Therapy: A pulsed dye laser (PDL) removes the cherry angioma. A powerful yellow laser produces heat to eradicate the lesion in PDL. This technique is a relatively quick procedure.

2. Cryosurgery: This procedure uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the region, which results in a blister. The blister heals into a scab, which eventually flakes off, removing the cherry angioma.

3. Electrocauterization: This method involves the removal of skin growths by burning them off. It is commonly used for benignⁱ  A term used to refer to a disease, condition or tumor that is not chronic, adverse or malignant. tumors, severe skin malignanciesⁱ  It is most commonly used to indicate the presence of a cancerous tumor in the body that progressively gets worse. , and pre-cancers. First, an anesthetic may be administered. Then, the doctor uses an electric needle to disrupt the blood vessels and scrape the angioma off the abnormal tissue. 

4. Shave Excision: This is the least used method of treating cherry angiomas. It may leave a scar after the procedure. The lesion is shaved off with a scalpel after administering local anesthesiaⁱ  A medically induced temporary state characterized by a loss of consciousness or physical sensation. . It may take time to heal.

Annie, a lifestyle blogger, got rid of cherry angiomas with the help of intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment. After the treatment, the affected areas became raised and stung and took around 10 days to heal. She observes on her blog, “It took 10 days for the bruising to fade away, but there was never any scabbing, and there is no trace of where the cherry angiomas once were (i).”

Are you concerned about the possible complications of cherry angiomas? Read on to know more.

Risk Factors And Complications

Usually, cherry angiomas do not cause any complications. But their frequent occurrence at the same site may lead to irritation and bleeding.

Want to know when you should see a doctor? Find out in the next section.

When To See A Doctor

Cherry angiomas are mostly harmless. However, if you notice any of the following symptoms, consult a doctor for proper diagnosis right away.

• Sudden rash of numerous skin lesions.
• Changes in the red bump like the size and color.
• Irritation or bleeding.
• Any other new growths.
• When the lesion starts affecting your daily life.

If you notice any of these concerning signs, reach out to your doctor right away. Find out in the next section what to expect from a diagnosis session for cherry angioma.

Cherry Angioma Diagnosis

Cherry angiomas are typically diagnosed through a visual examination by a healthcare professional. During the check-up, the doctor will look at the size, shape, and color of the growths on your skin. In most cases, no special tests are needed. However, a biopsy may be performed to rule out other skin conditions if there is any uncertainty. It is important to get any new or changing spots checked to ensure proper diagnosis and care.

The Final Takeaway

A cherry angioma is a small, benign red growth that appears as a skin blemish or skin mark, but it is usually harmless and not indicative of skin cancer. It is made up of tiny blood vessels and is usually the size of a small mole, but it can grow much larger and appear anywhere on the body. These angiomas are mostly found on the chest, belly, back, arms, and legs. They are not treatable with topical medications, so you will have to see a doctor to get rid of them. Some cosmetic surgeries may safely remove these bumps as well. Since several common skin malignancies, like skin cysts, skin moles, skin polyps, skin tags, and skin warts can also have a similar appearance, it is crucial to consult a board-certified dermatologist to ensure they are not cancerous or if you are opting for cosmetic removal. However, a skin abnormality such as skin discoloration or skin nodules can sometimes indicate a more serious skin neoplasm or skin tumor situation, so it’s important to have any unusual skin changes checked by a healthcare professional.

Infographic: Top 4 Ways To Get Rid Of Cherry Angioma

While a cherry angioma may be benign in nature and quite harmless, it doesn’t always look that appealing. If you want to get rid of these small lesions but are not sure which are the best treatments to go ahead with, then let us guide you through. Check out the infographic below to learn about 4 easy ways you can get rid of cherry angioma.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Can cherry angiomas develop into something serious?

Cherry angiomas are usually harmless and do not turn into serious issues. However, if they change or new ones appear, it is best to have them checked by a doctor for immediate treatment.

Do cherry angiomas get bigger?

Yes, it is possible for cherry angiomas to grow into a bigger bump. It is harmless and can be managed with the right treatment options.

Can melanoma look like cherry angioma?

Yes, cherry angioma can be confused with melanoma. The difference is that cherry angiomas are red or black and have lesions that easily tear. Melanomasⁱ  A most serious form of skin cancer that affects melanin-forming cells responsible for the color of the skin and hair. are blue or black, asymmetrical with irregular borders (3).

Are cherry angiomas caused by a vitamin deficiency?

The exact cause behind cherry angiomas is unknown. However, it has been linked to genetic mutation (1).

Illustration: Cherry Angioma: Causes Treatments And Risk Factors

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Curious to know more about cherry angiomas? Learn about the causes, shapes, treatment options, and more for red moles from the interesting video below.