It is a widely spread skin condition, but it affects only adults. They often affect trunk, limbs, then later manifest on face, especially on the palpebral region. The condition is a degenerative change; it means that the frequency of cherry angiomas (that look like red moles) increases with age. The chance to develop multiple lesions also increases with age.
Cherry angioma can be flat or raised. When they first occur - cherry angiomas - they are usually flat, then later they rise above the skin surface.
Cherry angiomas are not prone to manifest in children. Strawberry angioma (which is a different type of angioma that has different appearance and color) is more common to form lesions at early age, when cherry hemangioma is common in adults.
Cherry angiomas are found in both men and women. They also appear in all races, but are most noticeable in pale-skinned individuals.
Cherry angioma symptoms
It is really a cherry angioma, if the following characteristics apply:
- Bright cherry-red spot
- Pinhead size or larger
- Smooth flat or a bit raised
- Circular or oval shape
First lesions usually appear when the patient is over thirty, but sometimes it affects younger individuals. When a person turns seventy years old, it is 70 percent chance that he will have multiple cherry hemangiomas. This type of disease is also the most common of all angiomas. Lesions can be either egzofitic or form telangiectasia. The lesions are harmless and not cancerous. In many cases only a single growth is present, although sometimes there can be multiple cherry angiomas.
The color of the papule can differ in a range from reddish to purple. When appear for the first time, cherry hemangiomas can look as small red dots and their diameter can seek only one hundredth part of centimeter, but later they get bigger in size and are able to reach the diameter of one centimeter or more. The papule is comprised of blood vessels, so it can bleed strongly when injured.
Cherry hemangioma can occur on different parts of the body. Some common places are:
- Cherry angioma on scalp
- Cherry angioma on lip
- Cherry angioma on nose
- Cherry angioma on face (chin, cheeks, forehead)
- Cherry angioma on abdomen
- Cherry angioma on chest
- Cherry angioma on back
Cherry angioma pictures
Some questions people often ask about cherry angiomas
- Can cherry angiomas be removed? Yes, they absolutely can. There are several ways to remove cherry angioma, they will be discussed later.
- Can you get rid of cherry angiomas without going to a doctor? Yes, it is possible, but it’s strongly recommended to visit a doctor before taking any steps in order to get rid of them.
- Are cherry angiomas dangerous? No, cherry angiomas are not dangerous.
- Are all red spots on skin cherry angiomas? No, there are many reasons that can cause red spots on skin.
- Can cherry angiomas be cancerous? If it is really a cherry angioma, then it is not cancerous. Cherry hemangioma itself has no connection to cancer at all. But red spots could also show other conditions. If the red spot changes in color and size, bleeds often, these could be signs of skin cancer.
- What causes red moles (cherry angiomas)? There are several factors that may be the cause of cherry angiomas. They will be discussed in a topic below.
Cherry angioma and liver disease
There is an opinion that cherry hemangiomas on abdomen or the chest may be a sign of liver dysfunction. Some blood tests (such as liver enzymes, ALT and AST concentration an AST/ALT ratio) could show if there is one.
Cherry angioma causes and treatment
Cherry angioma causes
In the field of dermatology, there are a lot of discussions about the cause off cherry angioma. The reasons may be linked to genetic factors, such as increased protein expression of mitogen – activated protein kinase 1 and cyclin E1, which are both proteins that are naturally found in human body. There is also a link between the manifestation of cherry angioma and pregnancy. But the truth is, doctors don’t know the exact answer to question what causes cherry angiomas. Some of them think, that exposure to some specific chemicals (mustard gas, bromides, and cyclosporine) could also lead to forming of these skin lesions. There is also an opinion, that cherry hemangiomas show estrogen imbalance (that is why some people think that there is a link between liver function and these papules). Some certain climate conditions could play a role in the forming of lesions. Yet the exact cherry hemangioma causes remain unknown.
Cherry angioma treatment options
Usually cherry hemangioma does not require treatment, it is not harmful. Besides, cherry hemangiomas removal can be painful, can cause stress and cost money. Still, a patient with this condition may feel a need to remove them. The need to remove these lesions usually comes because of cosmetic reasons. Excessive bleeding may also be the cause (some cherry hemangiomas tend to bleed when injured). Sometimes these skin lesions also cause emotional distress to the patient – cherry angioma on face or very large lesion can be unbearable cosmetic defect for the patient. These three situations are indications when cherry angioma removal is indicated.
Cherry angiomas treatment usually involves only one method; they do not require complex procedures. It can be done by a doctor or you can try to do it yourself.
So how to get rid of cherry angiomas? There are four basic medical procedures:
- Electro ablation
- Pulsed – dye laser ablation
- Cryotherapy
- Surgical excision
It is possible to do this by using electric current. The method is called electro cautery. It uses heat conduction from a metal probe. The electric current runs through the probe and destroys the unhealthy tissue that forms angioma. The procedure can be painful. It also may cause formation of scars.
Another way of removing cherry angiomas is pulsed – dye laser ablation. This method is a gold standard for treatment of this type of skin lesions – it means that it is the best known way to remove cherry angiomas. The laser penetrates about 0, 7 mm beneath the skin surface. Cherry angioma laser removal is considered to be a safe treatment. It uses a green light source. The hemoglobin contained within erythrocytes selectively absorbs the laser energy and that causes the destruction of vascular lumen. One procedure is usually enough for a middle–size cherry hemangioma removal. Larger ones may require several procedures. The disadvantage of this method is that cherry angioma laser removal cost is quite big.
Another method, which is used more rarely, is called cryotherapy. The skin lesions are affected with cold and it causes their obliteration. The skin is performed by freezing the skin lesion with liquid nitrogen. The procedure is performed at doctor’s office. To reduce pain during the procedure a local anesthetic may be given, but after the procedure the patient can still feel some pain.
One more method used to remove cherry angiomas is a surgical excision. A doctor cuts of or shaves the lesion. It usually happens at doctor’s office. The excision may be painful, so the procedure is performed by the help of local anesthetics. As with cryotherapy, after the procedure the patient may still feel some pain.
Cherry angioma removal cost depends on several factors. Firstly, it depends on the selected method. The use of pulsed dye laser for treating lesions may cost several hundreds of euros, but it is the best known method for cherry hemangioma treatment. The cost of this procedure is based on the spreading of the lesion – a large cherry angioma needs more resources and time for removal - and who is performing the procedure.
It is important to mention that cherry angiomas removal should be considered and not always recommended. It is usually an unnecessary procedure, because these skin lesions are benign and usually very small. They can often disappear or get smaller over time. Small cherry angioma on the back or other area covered by clothes does not seem like a big cosmetic defect. However, they often manifest on face and neck. If that is the case, removing cherry angioma may be necessary to the patient.
Cherry angioma removal images
Cherry angioma before and after removal photos
Cherry angioma home treatment
Although it is possible to get rid of cherry angiomas at home, dermatologists strongly recommend not to do that by yourself and contact a doctor first.
The price of home removal is very low, especially in comparison with laser or cryotherapy procedures - cherry angioma laser removal cost is hundred times bigger than essential oils used to treat the condition. Though results can be not as good as those you see after visiting a dermatologist. There are several home treatment options:
- Apple cider vinegar
- Tea tree oil
- Iodine
- Burn
- Topical creams
Apple cider vinegar is often used for various health benefits and conditions. It is a natural cure for cherry angiomas. The patient must take a piece of clean clothing dipped in the liquid and press it to the lesion for half an hour. The process must be repeated daily. Acetic acid is the active substance in apple sider vinegar that is responsible for the results.
Removing cherry hemangiomas at home can also be performed by using tea tree oil. This essential oil is a safe treatment option for cherry angioma, though it can cause skin irritation for some people, especially when cherry angioma is located on face. Tee tree oil should be combined with olive oil and applied on the lesion at least once a day. It is a pocket friendly decision - tea tree oil may cost several euros.
Another substance that can be used for cherry angiomas removal at home is iodine. It is a theory (though, not scientifically approved) that cherry haemangiomas could be caused by the lack of this substance in the human organism. If the theory would be approved, the use of iodine could become a perfect method for removing cherry angiomas naturally. A patient should increase his intake of iodine to seek some results in treating the condition. It can be done by eating food that are rich in iodine – sea vegetables, cranberries, yogurt, strawberries. Iodine supplement could also be helpful. Yet the method is questionable and there aren’t many positive opinions from people who tried to remove cherry angiomas at home by doing it.
Simple burning can also help to remove cherry angioma at home. It is not a very painful procedure, because only the specific spot of the lesion is burned. It can be done by using a heated pin. You can heat a pin with a lighter. The pin should not have plastic on it, because it melts and can only worsen the situation. If you have a larger cherry hemangioma, you will probably need to repeat the process several times (yet it is not a good method for a very large lesion). After the procedure the skin should be disinfected with alcohol (it is a very important step that helps to avoid infection!). The main advantage of the method is its cost. It is probably the cheapest way possible for treating cherry angiomas, because you will not need to buy anything at the store.
There is also such thing as cherry angioma removal cream and other topically used cosmetics that could reduce the lesion. These creams can be bought over the counter and be used at home without visiting the doctor (tough consultation is always recommended to diagnose the condition).
Cherry angioma removal at home is yet still not that safe as removal in doctor’s office. A dermatologist has a lot of knowledge about how not to damage the skin, how it must be treated in order not to cause infection or allergies, how to lessen the scarring, how to prepare tissues for the procedures. A person on his own can put himself at risk when removing cherry angiomas at home.
Apple cider vinegar and tea tree oil could cause contact dermatitis for some people, iodine can be overdosed and burning cherry angiomas can cause an infection if you do not use disinfecting materials. Therefore it is recommended to consult with a doctor before cherry angioma home treatment. Doctor will consult you about the best method and give specific directions how to adjust a selected method to your condition, how to do the steps correctly. Getting rid of cherry angiomas will be easy, when you know the exact moves. Consulting a dermatologist about your condition is way better than just reading an article on the internet.
There are few situations, when treatment at home remedies for removing cherry angiomas are out of the question:
- Our facial skin is very delicate. If your cherry angiomas are on face, you should probably go to dermatologist for the removal.
- Home remedies for cherry angiomas are not an option if your cherry angioma changes her color and shape fast. Then you must seek medical help immediately.
- If your cherry red angioma bleeds a lot, you should also go to a dermatologist and not try to cure them at home.
