Cherry angiomas on the scalp are harmless skin growths that can appear as red bumps or spots. These are usually asymptomatic and do not require treatment.
Any red bump which changes in appearance should be examined by a doctor.
What are cherry angiomas?
Cherry angiomas are non-cancerous skin lesions that consist of capillaries, which are small blood vessels. They are also known as red moles or Campbell de Morgan spots.
Cherry angiomas are usually seen in individuals over 30 years of age. They are most commonly seen on the trunk and arms, although they can occur anywhere on the body.
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How common are cherry angiomas on the scalp?
Red moles or cherry angiomas on the scalp are rarely mentioned as a site of occurrence. There are only a handful of case reports and studies on cherry angiomas of the scalp.
One study evaluated 1279 individuals with cherry angiomas. The location of cherry angiomas was marked. Many (hundreds) areas were marked with cherry angiomas, however, only 2 were on the scalp. Thus, in this group, cherry angiomas were rarely seen on the scalp.
On the contrary, another study included 171 patients with cherry angiomas and 72% of these patients had cherry angiomas on the scalp. The spots were asymptomatic and they were more common and larger in patients who were over 30 years of age and in those with advanced androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness).
In addition, there’s one case report in the literature, where a 41-year-old male had multiple cherry angiomas on the scalp.
So, we do not have a lot of data to determine the overall prevalence of scalp cherry angiomas.
The less reporting of the cherry angiomas of the scalp may be due to the fact that:
- They are usually asymptomatic, meaning they don’t hurt or itch, so one may not notice them.
- In addition, the hair covers the scalp so they are not visible and may be missed.
Causes
The exact cause of cherry angiomas is not known. It is associated with multiple factors like aging, hormones, genetics, diabetes, exposure to certain medications or chemicals (topical nitrogen mustard and bromides), and immunosuppression.
Symptoms
Cherry angiomas may appear as bright red dots or spots on the scalp. They are often 1 mm to 5 mm in size and are round or oval in shape. New spots may be flat and as they grow, they may become raised bumps.
They are not painful and do not itch. However, they can bleed if traumatized like aggressive combing or rough brushes and combs.
If you feel a bump on the scalp and you are not able to see it, ask a family member or friend to examine it or visit your doctor to get them examined.
Cherry angioma on the scalp vs blood blister
Cherry angioma on the scalp is sometimes referred to as a blood blister. However, cherry angioma is not a true blood blister.
Cherry angioma is a skin growth that consists of blood vessels, giving it a bright red color.
Blood blisters usually appear when the scalp or skin is pinched or grazed and there is damage to the blood vessels. The blood leaks in between the layers of skin forming a blood-filled bump.
Blood blisters will heal over time (usually a week) unlike cherry angiomas which require a procedure in a doctor’s office to remove them.
Nevertheless, one should not pop either cherry angioma or a blood blister.
- Popping a cherry angioma can lead to bleeding, infection, and scarring.
- Blood blisters are formed to protect and heal the skin, so one should let it heal.
Treatment
Red moles are not cancerous and do not require treatment. In addition, they usually do not lead to any symptoms.
Cherry angiomas on the scalp may be covered by hair so some people may not choose to treat them. If they cause any symptoms like pain or bleeding or you don’t like their appearance, they can be removed.
However, they cannot be removed at home. The procedure for cherry angioma removal should be performed by a doctor.
The treatment options for cherry angiomas include:
- Lasers target the blood vessels in the red moles.
- Cryotherapy involves the use of liquid nitrogen to freeze the red mole.
- Electrodesiccation involves the use of electric current to destroy the angioma.
- Excision involves shaving or cutting the red mole.
Read the detailed post on the treatment of cherry angiomas.
When to see a doctor
Cherry angiomas on the scalp are harmless and do not need treatment. However, it may be hard to see them on the scalp.
If you have any bump on the scalp and you are not able to examine it, it’s best to see a doctor for evaluation.
In addition, if the red mole on your scalp changes in appearance or it starts to itch or becomes painful, it’s best to see a doctor as these can be signs of skin cancer.
Key points
Cherry angiomas or red moles can be seen on the scalp, although there are not a lot of case reports or studies on these. The exact cause of why they occur is not known.
These are harmless and are not cancerous. However, if you see any unusual changes in these red moles, it’s best to see a doctor.
References
- Kim JH, Park HY, Ahn SK. Cherry Angiomas on the Scalp. Case Rep Dermatol. 2009 Nov 11;1(1):82-86. doi: 10.1159/000251395. PMID: 20652121; PMCID: PMC2895217.
- Keller VR: Zur Klinik und Histologie der senilen Angiome. Dermatologica 1957;114:345–359.
- Pereira JM: Cherry hemangioma on the scalp. An Bras Dermatol 2004;79:83–89.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for information purposes only and does not replace medical advice.