Cherry angiomas are common skin growths that are harmless. They do not require treatment. However, if they are bothersome or for cosmetic reasons, they can be removed.
What are cherry angiomas?
Red moles or cherry angiomas are non-cancerous skin lesions that are commonly seen in people over the age of 30 years. They are also known as Campbell de Morgan spots.
Cherry angiomas appear as bright red or purple bumps on the skin. The early lesions can be flat. They usually appear on the trunk and arms, although they can be seen anywhere. They do not hurt and itch.
The exact cause of why they occur is not known. The commonly associated factors include aging, genetics, hormonal changes in pregnancy, exposure to certain chemicals, and immunosuppression.
Can they turn into cancer?
Cherry angiomas do not become cancer. However, if you have a red bump that looks suspicious and you are not sure if it’s cherry angioma, it’s better to get it examined by a doctor.
Do these need treatment?
Cherry angiomas are harmless and do not require treatment. However, some people may want to get rid of them due to the following reasons:
- Cosmetic concern – One does not like the way they look.
- The bumps frequently get caught in jewelry or clothing and get irritated or bleed.
- The red moles changed in appearance – size, shape, or color. These may be signs of skin cancer.
Removal at home
One should not attempt to remove cherry angiomas at home. If you try to pop or cut a cherry angioma at home, it may lead to bleeding, infection, or scarring.
In addition, it’s best to see a doctor to get the red moles examined just to make sure they are cherry angiomas and not any other skin lesions like skin cancer.
Are there any removal creams?
As of now, cherry angiomas cannot be removed by any topical creams. So, save your money and avoid buying any topical creams that claim to remove cherry angiomas. Instead, visit a doctor to get them removed.
Treatment options
Cherry angiomas can only be removed in a doctor’s office. There are several options. Your doctor may discuss and recommend these options depending on how many lesions you want to treat and your skin tone.
1. Electrodesiccation
Electrodesiccation involves the use of an electric current to remove the red moles.
A local anesthetic is usually used to numb the area. Then an electrode is applied directly to the cherry angioma. It cauterizes or burns off the blood vessels in the cherry angioma. The treated area may scab and eventually heal. It may leave behind a small scar.
2. Cryosurgery
This method involves freezing the cherry angioma. Usually, it involves the use of liquid nitrogen which is either applied with an applicator or sprayed to the area.
It causes direct tissue damage. The lesion or red mole may scab, blister, peel, and eventually fall off. Very large lesions may require more than one application.
3. Lasers
Lasers can be a great option for removing cherry angiomas, especially for treating multiple spots. However, it can be more expensive.
A pulsed dye laser (PDL) is often used to treat cherry angiomas. The laser uses a concentrated beam of light to target hemoglobin which is present inside the red blood cells. The light energy is converted to heat which destroys the blood vessels.
During the procedure, a hand-held piece is placed against the skin. Patients often describe the procedure as having the feeling of a rubber band snapping against the skin.
One may need more than one session depending on the size of the red mole. Post-treatment, there may be temporary bruising in some people, which usually disappears in 1-2 weeks. Another side effect is a change in skin pigmentation – hypo or hyperpigmentation, especially in individuals with darker skin tones.
4. Excision
The red moles can be excised in two ways. Firstly, the lesion can be shaved off at the level of the skin.
The second method is cutting the lesion out of the skin and suturing the wound. Your doctor may recommend this especially if the red mole looks suspicious or unusual. The sample can be sent to a lab and examined by a pathologist to confirm the diagnosis.
The doctor will usually give a local anesthetic before performing the excision.
Post-treatment precautions
Any of the above-mentioned treatment methods may leave behind scars. It is important to follow the instructions given by your doctor when caring for the areas after removal.
In addition, the following measures may be helpful:
- Protect the area from the sun to avoid post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
- Avoid rubbing the treated area.
- Use gentle skincare during the recovery period.
- Wear loose clothes to avoid irritation of the treated area.
Prevention
Since it’s not clear what really causes cherry angiomas, there isn’t a way to prevent them. There is limited data where cherry angiomas are associated with topical nitrogen mustard, bromine derivatives, and 2-butoxyethanol, so one can avoid these.
Removing the cherry angiomas also does not stop or prevent them. You may get new spots on the body, especially with advancing age.
Key points
Cherry angiomas or red moles do not require treatment. They are harmless and do not become cancerous. However, if needed they can be removed via procedures like laser or excision in a doctor’s office.
Cherry angiomas should not be cut or removed at home due to the risk of bleeding and infection. In addition, none of the home remedies are proven to get rid of them,
References
- Pulsed dye laser treatment. Ranaweera A. 2014. DermNet.
- Collyer J, Boone SL, White LE, et al. Comparison of Treatment of Cherry Angiomata With Pulsed-Dye Laser, Potassium Titanyl Phosphate Laser, and Electrodesiccation: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Arch Dermatol. 2010;146(1):33–37.
- Buslach N, Foulad DP, Saedi N, Mesinkovska NA. Treatment Modalities for Cherry Angiomas: A Systematic Review. Dermatol Surg. 2020 Dec;46(12):1691-1697. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000002791. PMID: 33252464.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for information purposes only and does not replace medical advice.