Cherry angioma causes
In the field of dermatology, there are many discussions about the cause of cherry angiomas. They 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. However, the truth is, doctors do not know the exact answer to the question what causes cherry angiomas. Some scientists 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 these lesions. Yet the exact cherry hemangioma causes remain unknown.
Cherry angioma treatment options
Usually cherry hemangioma does not require treatment, because 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 emerges 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 should be removed.
Cherry angiomas treatment usually involves only one method; they do not require combined procedures. A doctor can do it or you can try to do it yourself.
So how to get rid of cherry angiomas? There are four basic medical procedures:
- Electric 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 a very safe procedure. 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–sized 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 procedure 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 out or shaves off the lesion. Usually it is performed at doctor’s office. The excision may be painful, so the procedure is performed with the help of local anesthetics. Like 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.
It is important to mention that cherry angiomas removal should be considered since it is 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 angiomas on the back or other area covered by clothes do 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.
Cherry angioma home treatment
Although it is possible to get rid of cherry angiomas at home, dermatologists strongly recommend not doing that by yourself and contacting 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. However, results can be not as good as those you get 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 procedure 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 angiomas could develop because of lack of this substance in the human organism. If that theory was approved, the use of iodine would become a perfect method for removing cherry angiomas naturally. The patient should increase his intake of iodine to get some results in treating the condition. It can be done by eating food rich in iodine – sea vegetables, cranberries, yogurt, and strawberries. Iodine supplements could also be helpful. Yet the method is questionable and it lacks positive feedback from patients who have already tried it.
Simple burning can also help to remove cherry angioma at home. It is not a very painful procedure, because only a specific spot of the lesion is burned. It can be done by using a heated pin. You can heat the 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 large 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, (a very important step that helps to avoid infection!). The main advantage of the method is its cost. It is probably the cheapest way for treating cherry angiomas, because all supplies are found at home.
Cherry angioma removal cream and other topically used measures are other great options for home treatment. These creams can be bought over-the-counter and safely used at home without medical supervision (tough medical examination is always recommended to diagnose the condition).
Cherry angioma removal at home is not as safe as removal in doctor’s office. A dermatologist has a lot of knowledge and experience 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 a doctor before cherry angioma home treatment. Doctor will talk about the best method and give specific directions how to apply any selected method to your condition, how to perform it correctly. Getting rid of cherry angiomas will be easy, if you know the exact guidelines. Consulting a dermatologist about your condition is much better than just reading an article on the internet.
There are few situations, when 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 go to dermatologist for the removal.
- Home remedies for cherry angiomas are not an option if your cherry angioma changes its color and shape fast. In this case, you must seek medical help immediately.
- If your cherry angioma bleeds a lot, you should also go to a dermatologist and avoid trying to cure them at home.
