Have you noticed small, bright red spots on your skin and wondered if they're harmless or a sign of something more serious? These tiny, vibrant marks might be cherry angiomas, a common skin growth that an estimated 50% of people develop as they age.
While cherry angiomas are typically benign, understanding what they are, why they appear, and how to manage them can help put your mind at ease.
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What Are Cherry Angiomas?
Cherry angiomas, also known as senile angiomas or Campbell de Morgan spots, are a type of vascular skin lesion made up of clusters of tiny blood vessels called capillaries. Although they could be mistaken for melanoma, cherry angiomas are non-cancerous and harmless.
Cherry angiomas are small (2-4 millimeters in diameter), round mole-like spots on the skin that are light to dark red, purple, or blue in color. They most commonly appear in groups on the torso, arms, and legs.
Although cherry angiomas can occur in individuals of all ages, they become more prevalent with age, especially in the third and fourth decades of life. By the time they are 75, three-quarters of adults have cherry angiomas.
Causes and Risk Factors
The exact cause of cherry angiomas isn't entirely understood, but several factors are believed to contribute to their development.
Age
Given that cherry angiomas increase in number and size with age, the natural aging process is believed to be involved in their development.
Genetics
Research shows that cherry angiomas can run in families. About 12% of people with cherry angiomas have family members who also have them.
Cherry angiomas often have specific changes (mutations) in their genes, especially in two genes called GNAQ and GNA11, which can cause blood vessels in the skin to grow in unusual ways.
Pregnancy
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can change the structure and function of blood vessels in the skin. For example, some evidence suggests higher levels of a hormone called prolactin contribute to angioma growth during pregnancy.
Cherry angiomas may get smaller or disappear entirely after childbirth as hormone levels normalize.
Environmental Exposures
Eruptive cherry angiomas refer to the sudden appearance of multiple cherry angiomas on the skin over a short period. More recent evidence has linked this sudden onset to exposure to toxins or drugs, including:
- Nitrogen Mustard: Used as a topical agent to treat vitiligo
- Bromide: A naturally occurring element found in food, water, and seawater. Its related chemical element, bromine, may be used to make pharmaceutical medications and pesticides.
- Cyclosporine: An immunosuppressant medication used to treat autoimmune diseases and prevent organ rejection in transplant patients.
- Sun Exposure: Ultraviolet radiation may induce blood vessel formation in the skin.
Medical Conditions
While their presence does not necessarily indicate an underlying medical condition, cherry angiomas have been associated with some medical conditions, including:
- Liver transplants
- Graft versus host disease (a medical condition that occurs when immune cells from a transplanted donor attack the recipient's body tissues)
- Cerebral cavernous malformations (abnormal collections of blood vessels in the brain)
- Familial nevus falmmeus (a type of birthmark)
- Human Herpesvirus-8 (a virus linked to Kaposi sarcoma and other types of cancer)
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Cherry angiomas are usually easy to identify due to their distinct appearance.
Symptoms of Cherry Angiomas
Cherry angiomas get their name from their appearance:
- Small, dome-shaped raised bumps on the skin
- Usually no larger than 5 millimeters in diameter
- Red, purple, or blue in color
- Typically more noticeable on lighter skin tones
- Most commonly appear on the torso and upper extremities
Cherry angiomas are typically asymptomatic skin lesions. They shouldn't be painful or itchy. Sometimes, if they are scratched or rubbed, they may bleed.
Diagnostic Process
If you notice new or changing skin spots, it's a good idea to consult a dermatologist. A dermatologist is a type of doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating skin conditions. They are well-trained in diagnosing cherry angiomas solely based on their appearance.
In rare cases, a skin biopsy will be performed if a growth looks unusual or changes in appearance. This is an in-office procedure in which the doctor collects a small tissue sample to test in a lab to rule out other conditions, such as skin cancer.
Treatment Options for Cherry Angiomas
Cherry angiomas are harmless and do not require treatment unless they cause discomfort, bleed, or for cosmetic reasons. If the spots are not bothering you, it's perfectly fine to leave them as they are.
However, several effective treatment options are available if you wish to have them removed.
Removal Techniques
Standard options for safely removing cherry angiomas include:
- Excision: Cutting or shaving the lesion from the skin after applying a local anesthetic to the area to reduce pain.
- Electrodesiccation: Also called electrocauterization, this technique involves burning off skin growths with an electrical current.
- Cryotherapy: Applying extreme cold, typically with liquid nitrogen, to freeze and destroy the skin lesion.
- Laser Removal: Intense, narrow beams of light are used to cut and destroy tissue. Pulsed dye laser (PDL), intense pulsed light (IPL), potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP), and neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) 1064 nm are examples of laser therapies used to treat cherry angiomas.
These procedures can cause mild discomfort that should resolve shortly after the procedure. Medical removal of cherry angiomas can cause the skin to scar; in some cases, cherry angiomas can grow back.
Home Remedies and Myths
Contrary to some claims found online, there is no scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of home remedies, such as apple cider vinegar, iodine, or tea tree oil, in removing cherry angiomas.
Do not attempt to remove a cherry angioma by yourself at home. Doing so can increase the risk of bleeding, scarring, and infection. Always consult a licensed and qualified medical provider if you are interested in cherry angioma removal.
Prevention and Skin Health Tips
Since it's not entirely understood what causes cherry angiomas, there is limited evidence to suggest that lifestyle modifications or medical treatments can successfully prevent their development.
Management focuses on treating existing lesions based on patient preference. However, you may consider avoiding specific triggers associated with cherry angioma growth, such as:
- Sun exposure
- Topical nitrogen mustard
- Bromides
- Butoxyethanol
Tips for Overall Skin Health
Maintain healthy skin with these general tips:
- Hydration: Dehydration can cause dry, flaky skin. Aim to drink at least two liters of water to maintain skin hydration.
- Diet: Eat a diet rich in antioxidants, polyphenols, and phytoestrogens to support skin health. Incorporate fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes, and maintain a low glycemic index diet. Conversely, high-fat diets, refined sugars, and food additives may promote skin irritation.
- Cleansing: The American Academy of Dermatology advises using a gentle skin cleanser that is neutral-to-low pH, hypoallergenic, and fragrance-free to avoid skin irritation.
- Sun Protection: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and wear protective clothing to prevent photoaging and reduce the risk of skin cancer.
- Regular Skin Checks: Perform regular self-skin exams to assess for changes in color, texture, and temperature and discuss any skin concerns with a dermatologist.
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Key Takeaways
- Cherry angiomas are common, benign skin growths that many people develop as they age.
- They typically appear as small, bright red or purple spots and are harmless, requiring no treatment unless for cosmetic reasons or if they cause discomfort.
- While they are generally not a cause for concern, it's important to consult a dermatologist if you notice any unusual changes in your skin. A proper diagnosis and peace of mind are just a consultation away.
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