Electrocoagulation
The spot is sealed with a small electric current. A crust forms and falls off by itself after a while.
Other
Medically reviewed by Dr. A.M. van Coevorden, dermatologist, on
± 4 min read
Cherry angiomabright red dots on the skin
A cherry angioma is a small, bright red bump made of dilated blood vessels. They are benign, become more common from your mid-twenties and only need treatment if they bother you.
Reply within 12 to 48 hours · no referral needed · from € 39
- What is a cherry angioma?
- What causes red dots on the skin?
- What does a cherry angioma look like?
- How does the dermatologist know it is benign?
- Removing a cherry angioma: how does it work?
- Do cherry angiomas go away by themselves?
- What can you do yourself?
- When to see a dermatologist or GP?
- Frequently asked questions about cherry angiomas
What is a cherry angioma?
A cherry angioma (senile hemangioma, haemangioma senilis) is a small, bright red bump on the skin. It consists of a local cluster of dilated blood vessels. The bumps are dome-shaped, cherry red and rarely larger than 6 millimetres. They usually appear from around the age of 25 and then increase in number and size; over 40, many people have dozens. They can occur anywhere on the body except the mucous membranes, and they stand out most on lighter skin. Men and women get them equally often.
What causes red dots on the skin?
The cause of cherry angiomas is unknown. What is certain: they are common and increase with age, especially after 40. Under the microscope you see an increase in dilated small veins in the skin. A cherry angioma is not a mole: a mole is made of pigment cells, an angioma of blood vessels.
What does a cherry angioma look like?
Features of a cherry angioma:
- bright red to cherry red
- flat to dome-shaped, with a smooth surface
- 1 to 6 millimetres in size
- usually several at once, often on the trunk
- no itch, no pain, no symptoms
The spots are completely benign and never turn into skin cancer. They can only be a cosmetic nuisance.
How does the dermatologist know it is benign?
Cherry angiomas are so common and so recognisable that the dermatologist makes the diagnosis by looking. No further tests are needed. The dermatologist does distinguish them from other red spots, such as angiokeratomas or tiny bleeding spots. At 247dermatologist you send a sharp close-up photo and an overview photo. Within 12 to 48 hours the dermatologist assesses whether the picture fits a cherry angioma or whether another spot needs attention.
Removing a cherry angioma: how does it work?
Medically, no treatment is needed. If a spot bothers you, it can be removed. That is a cosmetic procedure and is not done at 247dermatologist; we assess the spot, removal takes place at a clinic or dermatologist near you.
Possible ways to remove a cherry angioma:
Shaving
The bump is scraped away with a blade or a sharp spoon and the blood vessels are sealed.
Laser
A laser for blood vessels, the pulsed dye laser, seals off the vessels. The same technique is used for port-wine stains.
Freezing
Sometimes a spot is frozen with cryotherapy.
Do cherry angiomas go away by themselves?
No. Cherry angiomas stay, and as you get older more usually appear. They are harmless and cause no symptoms. After removal the treated spot does not come back, but new ones can appear elsewhere.
What can you do yourself?
You do not need to do anything. Do not try to remove a spot yourself or scratch it open. Do keep an eye on whether a red spot changes, and compare it with your other spots. If one looks different from the rest, have it assessed. Also read how to check your moles yourself.
When to see a dermatologist or GP?
A cherry angioma does not need checking. Do have a red spot assessed if it:
- grows larger
- becomes rough or gets a different surface from your other spots
- changes colour, for example black, white, blue or a different shade of red
- itches, hurts, develops a sore, bleeds easily or forms crusts
- looks different from your other spots
Not sure whether a red spot is a cherry angioma? Send photos and a dermatologist at 247dermatologist assesses them within 12 to 48 hours, no referral needed. Then you know whether it is harmless or whether further examination is needed.
Frequently asked questions about cherry angiomas
Not sure whether this needs a look? Have a dermatologist assess it: you get an answer within 12 to 48 hours, no referral needed. In an emergency, contact your GP straight away or call 112.
Are red dots on the skin dangerous?
Cherry angiomas are benign and never turn into skin cancer. They cause no symptoms. If a spot changes in size, colour or surface, or bleeds easily, have it assessed.
Is a cherry angioma a mole?
No. A mole is made of pigment cells, a cherry angioma of dilated blood vessels. That is why it is bright red rather than brown. People sometimes call it a red mole.
Why do I keep getting more red dots?
Cherry angiomas increase with age, especially after 40. That is normal. What exactly causes them is not known.
Can a cherry angioma be skin cancer?
A cherry angioma itself cannot. Other red spots can need attention. Have a spot assessed if it grows, changes colour, becomes rough, bleeds or looks different from your other spots.
Can you have a cherry angioma removed?
Yes, if it bothers you. Options are electrocoagulation, shaving, laser or freezing. It is a cosmetic procedure at a clinic or dermatologist near you; 247dermatologist assesses the spot but does not remove it.
Can a blood spot on the skin bleed?
A cherry angioma consists of blood vessels, so it can bleed if knocked or scratched open. That is not dangerous. Press a clean gauze on it. If a spot bleeds without reason or keeps bleeding, have it assessed.
Have a dermatologist look at your skin
Upload photos and answer a few questions. A BIG-registered dermatologist replies within 12 to 48 hours, no referral needed, from € 39.
If more is needed, the dermatologist refers you to a medical specialist.
Want to know what a dermatologist does, when you can see one and how quickly that can happen? Read more about the dermatologist.
Sources and more information
- Haemangioma senilis (angioma senilis, bloedvin), patient leaflet (huidziekten.nl)
- Haemangioma senilis (cherry angioma), handbook (huidziekten.nl)
- Ik heb een plekje op mijn huid en wil weten wat het is (thuisarts.nl)
Source: huidziekten.nl and Thuisarts.nl (NHG).
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