Cherry Angioma: Symptoms, causes, and treatment

Did you know over 60% of people above the age of 75 develop a cherry angioma in their lifetime?

“Red moles”, known as cherry angiomas, are a non-cancerous skin growth that forms from small blood vessels, and while most tend to be completely harmless, most opt for cherry angioma removal for cosmetic reasons.

Today, cherry angiomas can prove to be a pesky and unsightly growth for a large part of the population, but they shouldn’t stop you from feeling comfortable in their own skin. Keep reading to learn more about what is a cherry angioma, what are the causes, what are the treatment options, considered medical advice, and when to seek treatment. Let’s dive in!

What are Cherry Angiomas?

Cherry Angiomas, the most common kind of angioma or non-cancerous skin growth, are appropriately named for their bright red, round appearance on the skin near blood vessels – often no bigger than a quarter of an inch. The cherry angioma can grow anywhere on the body, but is most commonly found on the torso, back, arms and legs -- rarely do they grow on the face. A cherry angioma may become eruptive cherry angiomas in the right conditions, but they do not indicate skin cancer.

Angiomas, in general, refer to noncancerous skin growths that occur in over 40% of the general population, and include spider angiomas and venous lakes. Cherry angiomas can be either raised or smooth on the skin, appearing similar to red moles. They may also be referred to as “senile angiomas” or “Campbell de Morgan Spots.”

What Causes a Cherry Angioma?

Having a cherry angioma is far more common than people may think, with over half the population above 40 growing at least one in their lifetime. While medical research has not yet found a direct cause of cherry angiomas, certain factors and health conditions may make someone more likely to grow these benign skin growths.

Age

Studies have shown that about 75% of the population above the age of 70 have at least one cherry angioma -- this is also where they get the name “senile angiomas”. In general, a cherry angioma is more likely to happen along with other age spots, wrinkles, blood vessels, and moles that tend to appear with age, especially for people 40 and above.

Pregnancy

Research shows that pregnancy may have a direct correlation to the likelihood of growing a cherry angioma. This is believed to be caused by an increase in prolactin, a hormone found in pregnant women that helps produce breast milk and protect the baby. It is not yet known why prolactin may cause angiomas, but there does seem to be a connection.

Higher Cholesterol Levels

One surprising cause of cherry angioma growth may be partly due to higher cholesterol levels. According to a study by the Skin Research Center of Guilan University, higher levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins in older patients (55+) were found in people with cherry angiomas.

When should I seek treatment for a cherry angioma?

If you find a cherry angioma on your body, there’s absolutely no reason to panic. Cherry angiomas should not spark a reason to worry about your health, because they’re completely harmless and extremely common.

However, if you notice a purple halo surrounding the angioma, you should reach out to your dermatologist or healthcare provider. According to a 2018 study, this surrounding pattern may indicate amyloidosis, a rare but dangerous disease that causes a buildup of protein amyloids.

Cherry Angiomas Treatment Options

There are several options to consider for the treatment cherry angiomas.:

Dermavel Fibroblast Plasma Pen

Using the Dermavel Fibroblast Plasma pen, you can remove cherry angiomas at home, without the doctor's visit. By utilizing ionized carbonation technology, the Fibroblast Plasma pen uses small electrical currents to stimulate skin and increase collagen output.

This promotes the skin to heal itself and rid itself of unwanted warts, growths, discolorations, and more. This new treatment is a safe and effective way to remove Cherry Angiomas, it’s trusted by patients and doctors across the US, and it has even featured on CBS and NBC news.

Cryosurgery

While it may sound a bit sci-fi, cryosurgery has been around for a while. This relatively quick and easy procedure consists of freezing the skin growth with liquid nitrogen, and the extreme cold causes it to fall off. The session itself only takes about 10-15 minutes, and is also a commonly used procedure to get rid of warts. The only downside is this does not get rid of them forever, and it is easy for these growths to reappear.

Cauterization

Electrocauterization is a professional procedure done by dermatologists that consists of burning the angioma with an electric probe. This sends shock waves to the vascular lesions and destroys the cells. This procedure can be a bit overwhelming though for a simple skin tag as one must be placed on a grounding mat to avoid electrocuting the rest of the body.

Laser Surgery

This is another common procedure done in the office, although quite expensive (can be more than $1,000+). It consists of using intense pulsed light which gives off enough heat to destroy the angioma. Think of it as cryosurgery but with heat instead of cold. The downside of this is that it can cause slight bruising and you may need multiple sessions to fully get rid of the skin lesion.

Wrap it up

We all want a safe, effective, and non-invasive way to improve our complexion – that’s why more and more people are turning to Fibroblast Plasma Therapy to remove cherry angiomas, skin tags, moles, dark spots, fine lines, and so much more!

Try the Dermavel Plasma Pen Kit for cosmetic procedures you can perform from your own home. And be sure to check out our Ultimate Guidebook to master all the patterns for a perfect procedure, everytime. Be sure to leave a review with photos of your experience once you’ve completed treatment so we can celebrate with you!

Here’s to remarkable skin, youth, happiness, and fresh-faced victory for your skincare!