A cherry angioma is a common, harmless growth of small blood vessels that appears as a bright red dot or bump on the skin. They usually start after age 30, increase in number with age and are most common on the trunk.
Key symptoms
- Small bright red to purple spots or bumps
- Usually no pain or itch
- New spots appearing slowly over the years
- May bleed if scratched or cut
What you find on exam
- Smooth, round, dome-shaped red papules 1 to 5 mm across, mostly on the trunk and arms
- Partial blanching with pressure
- Dermoscopy: red lagoons separated by pale lines
- Compare with other lesions; check for warning features of melanoma or petechiae
Tests
- Clinical diagnosis; no tests needed
- Biopsy only if the lesion looks atypical, dark or changing
- Platelet count if flat, nonblanching red spots suggest petechiae
Treatment basics
- Reassurance; treatment is not needed
- Cosmetic removal with electrocautery, laser or shave excision
- Firm pressure to stop bleeding after an injury
Red flags
- Sudden eruption of many new lesions (look for an underlying cause)
- Dark, irregular or changing lesion that may be melanoma
- Flat, nonblanching spots with bleeding or bruising (petechiae)
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Sources: NCCPA PANCE Content Blueprint; NBOME COMLEX-USA clinical presentations; AAMC Core Entrustable Professional Activities (Core EPAs). Written by Making Synapses. Making Synapses is not affiliated with these organizations.