Cherry Hemangiomas
A cherry angioma is often bright red, circular or oval in shape, and small — usually ranging in size from a pinpoint to about one-fourth of an inch in diameter. Some cherry angiomas appear smooth and even with your skin, while others appear slightly raised. They most often grow on the torso, chest, arms, legs, and shoulders.A cherry angioma won’t go away on its own, but it’s also unlikely to cause you any problems. It may bleed from time to time if it’s irritated. A red mole, or any mole, that changes in size, shape, or color is always cause for concern and should be evaluated by your primary care doctor or dermatologist.
Treatment & Recovery
At CPW Vein & Aesthetic Center we have successfully treated many cherry hemangiomas with our IPL vascular filter. Depending on how many angiomas you have, you may need between one and three treatment sessions. The laser treatment can cause slight bruising or a scab, which typically resolve in about 10 days. It is not painful to treat and does not require any numbing. We recommend covering the area from the sun or applying sunscreen for one month post treatment.
What causes Cherry Hemangiomas?
The exact cause of red moles is unknown, but there may be a genetic factor that makes certain people more likely to get them. They’ve also been linked to pregnancy, exposure to chemicals, certain medical conditions, and climate.
There also appears to be a link between cherry angiomas and age. They often begin to appear when individuals reach 30 years old and seem to increase in size and number with age. One study noted that over 75 percent of people over 75 years old have them.