ConditionSkin, hair & nails
Cherry Angiomas (Red Moles)
Cherry angiomas are small, bright red to purple, smooth bumps on the skin made of clusters of tiny blood vessels. They are the most common benign skin growth of blood vessels in adults, appearing from about age 30 and increasing with age, mostly on the trunk and arms. They are harmless and not cancerous. They can bleed if scratched. Removal is only needed for appearance or if they bleed repeatedly, and is done quickly with laser, electrocautery or freezing.
Also called: Cherry angioma, Campbell de Morgan spots, senile angiomas, cherry hemangiomas, red moles
At a glance
- What it is
- A benign cluster of small blood vessels forming a red dome or dot on the skin.
- Who gets it
- Most adults over 30; numbers increase with age.
- Where
- Mainly the trunk, arms and shoulders.
- Is it dangerous?
- No. It does not turn into cancer.
- Treatment
- None needed; laser, electrocautery or cryotherapy for cosmetic reasons or bleeding.
When to get help
See a doctor within a day or two
- A red or dark spot that bleeds easily, grows quickly over weeks, or forms a moist, crusted bump (possible pyogenic granuloma or other growth)
- Many new tiny red or purple dots that are flat and do not fade when pressed, with bruising or bleeding gums (possible petechiae from low platelets)
Book a routine appointment
- A dark, irregular, changing or itchy spot that looks different from your other spots
- A sudden eruption of many new red spots
- A spot that bleeds repeatedly after minor rubbing
- Red spots with spider-like legs on the face, chest and hands with tiredness or heavy drinking (possible spider angiomas from liver disease)
Usually safe to manage at home
- Small, stable, bright red dome-shaped spots that have looked the same for months
- A cherry angioma that bled after a scratch and stopped with 10 minutes of firm pressure
What cherry angiomas look like
- round or oval, usually 1 to 5 mm across
- bright cherry red when new, becoming darker red or purple with time
- flat at first, then a smooth, slightly raised dome
- blanch (fade) partly when pressed firmly with a glass slide
- painless
- usually multiple, from a handful to hundreds
They are made of dilated capillaries in the upper skin, which is why they are bright red and bleed when injured.
What causes cherry angiomas
The exact cause is not fully known. Factors linked to them include:
- Age: they start in early adulthood and increase steadily; most people over 70 have them.
- Genetics: they run in families. Specific gene mutations have been found in the growths.
- Pregnancy and hormones: they can appear or grow in pregnancy.
- Chemical exposures: some chemicals, including bromides, mustard gas and certain solvents, have been associated with eruptive angiomas.
- Medicines: rarely, some drugs such as cyclosporine.
- Climate: they may be more common in hot, humid climates.
A sudden eruption of many angiomas is occasionally reported with other medical conditions, so it is reasonable to mention it to your doctor, though most people with many cherry angiomas are healthy.
How to tell cherry angiomas from other spots
| Spot | How it differs |
|---|---|
| Cherry angioma | Bright red dome, smooth, stable, blanches partly |
| Petechiae | Flat, pinpoint, do not blanch, appear in crops; may mean low platelets or infection |
| Spider veins and spider angiomas | A central red dot with thin radiating vessels; fade when the center is pressed |
| Pyogenic granuloma | Grows rapidly over weeks, moist, bleeds very easily, often after minor injury |
| Angiokeratoma | Dark red to black, rough or warty surface |
| Hemangioma (infantile) | Appears in infancy, grows, then shrinks over years |
| Melanoma | Irregular shape and color, often brown or black, changes over time |
| Seborrheic keratosis | Brown, waxy, stuck-on appearance |
A dermatologist can usually diagnose a cherry angioma by looking, often with a dermatoscope, which shows characteristic red lagoons. A biopsy is only needed if the diagnosis is uncertain.
Treatment
Cherry angiomas do not need treatment. Removal options for cosmetic reasons or bleeding include:
- Electrocautery (electrodesiccation): a fine needle with electric current seals the vessels.
- Pulsed dye laser or other vascular lasers: good for many small spots, with low scarring risk.
- Cryotherapy: freezing with liquid nitrogen.
- Shave excision: for larger spots, often with cautery.
Treatment is quick, usually done in the office, and may leave a small light mark. New angiomas can still appear elsewhere. Cosmetic removal is often not covered by insurance.
If a cherry angioma bleeds, press firmly on it with a clean cloth for 10 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What causes cherry angiomas?
Cherry angiomas are caused by clusters of dilated capillaries in the skin. They are linked mostly to aging and genetics. Pregnancy, some chemical exposures and certain medicines may contribute. They are not caused by diet or sun exposure.
Are cherry angiomas a sign of cancer?
No. Cherry angiomas are benign and do not become cancerous. Rarely, a sudden eruption of many angiomas has been reported with other illnesses, so mention a rapid increase to your doctor. A spot that changes shape, color or bleeds easily should be checked.
Why am I suddenly getting cherry angiomas?
New cherry angiomas commonly appear with aging, especially after 30 to 40, and can increase during pregnancy. A sudden crop may also follow certain chemical or medicine exposures. If many appear quickly, or you have other symptoms, see a doctor.
Can I remove a cherry angioma at home?
It is not recommended. Cutting, burning or tying off an angioma can cause bleeding, infection and scarring, and you could miss a different type of growth. A dermatologist can remove it quickly with laser, cautery or freezing.
Do cherry angiomas go away on their own?
No, they usually stay for life and may slowly enlarge or darken. They do not need treatment unless they bother you or bleed. Removed angiomas rarely return at the same spot, though new ones may appear elsewhere.
Sources
This guide was written from current patient and clinical guidance, including:
- American Academy of Dermatology: Cherry angioma
- American Osteopathic College of Dermatology: Cherry angiomas
- DermNet: Cherry angioma
- MedlinePlus: Cherry angioma
- Cleveland Clinic: Cherry angioma