Start here before going down the self-diagnosis rabbit hole.
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Having a red spot suddenly appear on your skin can be alarming but rest assured.
But once you get a proper cherry angioma diagnosis, there are a few things you should know.
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Meet the Experts
Keep reading to learn more about cherry angiomas.
What Are Cherry Angiomas?
“They are harmless and don’t hurt, but can bleed if scratched.”
The tiny oval or rounded shaped moles can appear anywhere on the body.
However, they most commonly occur on the chest, abdomen, back, arms, and legs.
Cherry angiomas are small red growths on the skin made up of blood vessels (hence their hue).
They can appear anywhere on the body.
What Causes Cherry Angiomas?
The reason the benignmolespop up in these specific areas is unknown.
But there are a few factors like genetics, age, and hormones that can play a role.
She notes that they can also increase during pregnancy and in your30s.
If you’re wondering why changes occur during pregnancy, Cheung says it’s likely due to estrogen.
“[During pregnancy] estrogen makes the blood vessels dilate.”
As we age, naturalcollagen productionbegins to slow.
This, too, can influence the development of cherry angiomas.
What Do Cherry Angiomas Look Like?
“The surface is usually smooth.
They generally are asymptomatic [and] don’t itch or hurt.”
Are Cherry Angiomas Cancerous?
The good news: they aren’t.
“Cherry angiomas do not become cancerous,” says Cheung.
“There are other blood vessel growths that can become cancerous, but [they have] different characteristics.
How Do You Treat Cherry Angiomas?
Treating cherry angiomas isn’t as simple as purchasing a new skincare product or exfoliating.
The only way to successfully remove them is by paying a visit to a physician.
The most common forms of removal are electrocautery, lasers, and shave excision.
“Cherry angiomas can be removed by electrocautery or lasers,” says Cheung.
“These treatments involve heating the blood vessels to seal them off.
Post-treatment discoloration is common and can last up to 10 days.
However, the cost will vary by location.
Next, the removal process begins.
After removal, there may be electrosurgical feathering to smooth the edges of the removal area.
