Cherry angioma removal — diagnosing and treating red spots on the body

Key facts

• Cherry angiomas are benign clusters of capillaries
• They increase with age and often run in families
• Dermoscopy separates them from look-alike lesions
• Options: electrocautery, shave and cautery, CO2 laser
• New spots can appear over time

What cherry angiomas are

Cherry angiomas, also called Campbell de Morgan spots or senile angiomas, are benign clusters of small capillaries in the skin. They are typically 1–5 mm, bright cherry red to purple, round and either flat or dome-shaped. They usually start appearing from the thirties onwards and increase in number with age, and there is often a family tendency. They are not caused by diet, are not infectious and do not turn into cancer. Pregnancy and some hormonal changes can make vascular spots more noticeable. Most people have several, and having many is common. They are painless, but raised ones can bleed briskly if scratched or caught on clothing or a razor.

How a dermatologist confirms the diagnosis

Dr. Abdullah Anis examines the spots and uses dermoscopy, which typically shows well-defined red to purple lagoons in a cherry angioma. This helps distinguish them from other red or dark lesions such as pyogenic granuloma, spider angiomas, petechiae (pinpoint bleeding under the skin), angiokeratomas and, rarely, nodular or amelanotic melanoma, which may look red or pink. A sudden appearance of very many red spots, spots that do not blanch with tiny bleeding points, or spots accompanied by bruising, fever or feeling unwell should be assessed promptly, as they can reflect a different medical issue rather than angiomas.

Removal options: cautery and laser

Removal is optional and usually cosmetic, or for lesions that keep bleeding. Small, flat angiomas can often be treated with fine-needle electrocautery, which seals the vessels and causes the spot to fade. Larger or raised angiomas may be treated with shave removal followed by cautery, or with the clinic’s CO2 laser where the doctor judges it suitable. Local anaesthetic cream or injection can be used for comfort. The choice depends on the size, number and location of the spots and your skin type, and several spots can usually be treated in one visit. Any atypical red lesion is sent for histology rather than simply destroyed.

Recovery and what to expect

Treated spots usually form a small scab that falls off in about one to two weeks. Keep the area clean, avoid picking and use sun protection on exposed areas to reduce pigmentation changes. Very small spots often leave no visible mark, while larger raised ones may leave a faint flat mark that fades with time. A treated angioma rarely returns in the same place, but because the tendency is lifelong, new cherry angiomas can continue to appear elsewhere. Many patients choose to have new spots treated periodically. Bleeding after treatment is uncommon and usually stops with gentle pressure.

Red flags and booking at Manhal

Seek prompt medical review if a red spot grows quickly, bleeds repeatedly without injury, changes colour to dark brown or black, or if many new red or purple spots appear suddenly, particularly with bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, fever or tiredness. Do not attempt to cut, burn or tie off angiomas at home, as they can bleed heavily and become infected. At Manhal Medical Center in Dubai, Dr. Abdullah Anis — a specialist dermatologist with more than 25 years of experience — examines red spots, confirms what they are and discusses removal, in English or Arabic.

Most skin tags and moles are harmless, but anything changing should be checked before removal. With a background in dermatopathology, our dermatologist assesses lesions before choosing laser, shave or excision.

Prepared by the Manhal Medical Center editorial team · Updated: 2026-10-18 · Treating specialist: Dr. Abdullah Anis

This page is general information and does not replace a consultation. Suitability, risks and results vary between patients.