Last updated: January 2024
Also known as…Campbell de Morgan spots, cherry haemangiomas or spider naevi
What are cherry angiomas?
Cherry angiomas are small popular angioma. They are the most common blood vessel overgrowths of the skin.
What gets cherry angiomas?
Cherry angiomas tend to increase in both size and number with advancing aged, particularly around the age of 30 and 40.
They are very common in both males and females of any age or race. A family history of similar lesions may be present.
What causes cherry angiomas?
A cherry angioma is a harmless overgrowth of blood vessels in the skin due to proliferation of the endothelial cells that line the blood vessels. It does not cause any symptoms but may bleed due to friction or trauma.
Cherry angiomas are frequently associated with hormonal changes particularly pregnancy. They often co-exist with seborrheic keratoses and with increasing age.
What do cherry angiomas look like?
As the name suggests, cherry angiomas appear as tiny cherry red domes measuring 1 to 4 mm in diameter.
Early angiomas are flat. They may occur as solitary lesions or number in the hundreds. They may be found on all body sites.
How are cherry angiomas diagnosed?
Cherry angiomas are usually easy to diagnose and no investigations are required. However, an individuals’ dermatologist may examine cherry angiomas with a dermatoscope if angiomas co-exist with moles or other suspicious skin lesions.
How are cherry angiomas treated?
Treatment options will vary depending on the individual and their needs.
Cherry angiomas are benign and will not grow into a skin cancer. They are treated for cosmetic reasons or if the lesions frequently bleed due to friction or trauma.
Treatment options may include:
- Cryotherapy
- Electrosurgery
- Vascular laser such as KTP or pulsed dye laser
What is the likely outcome of cherry angiomas?
Cherry angiomas in adults tend to persist unless treated. Some individuals will continue to accumulate these lesions with age. However, in young children, they may spontaneously disappear.
| Dr Davin Lim | January 2024 |
| Dr Davin Lim | January 2016 |