How are cherry angiomas removed?

Where this information comes from

Clinical facts on this page are checked against these primary sources.

1. 1.Cherry angioma, DermNetConfirms a cherry angioma is a benign vascular growth (a true capillary hemangioma), that about 75% of people over 75 have them, that their number rises from around age 40 and about 5% of adolescents have them, that they are firm red, blue or purple bumps 0.1 to 1 cm across, usually several and scattered, rarely on the hands, feet or inside the mouth, that a clotted one can look black until examined with a dermatoscope, that they are more noticeable on lighter skin, that the cause is unknown and a family history may be present, that eruptive cases have rarely been linked to internal cancer and pregnancy, that lookalikes include pyogenic granuloma, nodular basal cell carcinoma and amelanotic melanoma, that diagnosis is usually by eye with dermoscopy showing a red lobular pattern and biopsy if in doubt, that removal is not necessary, and that they may be removed to rule out cancer or for cosmetic reasons with cryotherapy, electrosurgery or vascular laser, backing this page's prevalence, appearance, cause, lookalike, visit and treatment statements.
2. 2.Cherry Angioma, Cleveland ClinicConfirms cherry angiomas are small red bumps that are harmless and are not a sign of cancer, that an estimated 50% of adults have them after age 30 and about 75% of adults 75 or older, that they are also called Campbell de Morgan spots or senile angiomas, that they are round, light to dark red, often in groups and most common on the torso, arms and legs, that aging, pregnancy, genetic changes and some chemical exposures are linked to them and that pregnancy-related spots often fade after delivery, that they can be confused with melanoma and moles, that a raised spot can be injured and bleed, that a bleeding spot should be cleaned, covered with antibacterial ointment and bandaged, that they are diagnosed by looking at the skin, that removal is optional and done for appearance or frequent bleeding using electrodesiccation, liquid nitrogen or laser, that removal can cause scarring, that they can return after removal, and that people should not try to remove them at home, backing this page's prevalence, appearance, bleeding, removal, aftercare and no-home-removal statements.
3. 3.Cherry angioma, MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, National Library of Medicine (National Institutes of Health)Confirms a cherry angioma is a noncancerous skin growth made of blood vessels, that the cause is unknown but they tend to be inherited, that they are most common after age 30, that they are bright cherry red, from pinhead size to about a quarter inch, smooth or raised, and usually on the trunk, that a provider diagnoses them by looking and sometimes confirms with a biopsy, that they usually do not need treatment but can be removed by burning, freezing, laser or shave excision if they affect appearance or bleed often, that removal usually does not cause scarring, that they can bleed if injured, and that a provider should be contacted when the appearance of a cherry angioma or any skin growth changes, backing this page's description, cause, visit, treatment, scarring and when-to-see-a-dermatologist statements.
4. 4.Skin lesion removal, MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, National Library of Medicine (National Institutes of Health)Confirms skin growth removal may be done for appearance or because a growth causes irritation, that methods include shave excision, curettage with electrodesiccation, laser and freezing, that an anesthetic may be given first, that the area may be tender for a few days, that most small wounds heal well, and that risks include scarring, skin color changes, infection and recurrence, backing this page's description of what to expect during and after removal.
5. 5.How to spot skin cancer, American Academy of DermatologyConfirms a common early sign of skin cancer is a spot that is growing, bleeding or changing, that a growing bump that may bleed and a sore that does not heal are possible signs, and that anyone who finds a spot that is growing, bleeding or changing should see a dermatologist, backing this page's advice that any red spot that bleeds, grows or changes be checked.
6. 6.Idiopathic Eruptive Cherry Angiomatosis: A Case Series of Three Healthy Women, PMC, National Library of Medicine (National Institutes of Health)Confirms cherry angiomas are common benign growths that are easily diagnosed by eye, that an eruptive form with hundreds to thousands of spots has been reported in association with medications, lymphoproliferative disease, graft-versus-host disease, immunosuppression and human herpesvirus-8, that eruptive spots can recur despite pulsed dye laser treatment, and that in one case treatment was not covered by insurance, backing this page's note on a sudden crop of many spots, its statement that new spots can keep appearing after treatment, and its advice to ask about insurance before removal.