Cherry Angioma: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Cherry Angioma?
A dermatologist (a skin doctor) treats cherry angiomas. Your primary care doctor can look at one first and tell you if you need a skin doctor. Cherry angiomas are noncancerous skin growths made of blood vessels. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is a cherry angioma?
A cherry angioma is a noncancerous (benign) skin growth made up of blood vessels. Benign means it is not cancer. Doctors also call it a cherry hemangioma, a senile angioma, or a Campbell de Morgan spot.
Cherry angiomas are fairly common skin growths that vary in size. They can occur almost anywhere on the body, but usually develop on the trunk. The growth sits just under the top layer of skin and is made of many small blood vessels.
Symptoms
A cherry angioma is:
- Bright cherry-red.
- Small, from pinhead size to about one quarter inch (0.64 centimeter) in diameter.
- Smooth, or it can stick out from the skin.
Cherry angiomas are usually asymptomatic, which means they cause no symptoms. They may bleed if they are injured. Other possible problems include changes in appearance and emotional distress. They most often show up as several spots (multiple lesions). They are rarely seen on the face, hands, and feet.
Causes and who gets it
The cause is unknown, but they tend to be inherited (genetic). They are most common after age 30, and their number tends to increase with age. About 75% of adults over 75 years of age have them. Pregnancy is listed as one possible link.
Some may be linked to certain chemicals, such as bromides. Sudden outbreaks of many cherry angiomas can occur with some medicines and health conditions. If sudden outbreaks come with symptoms in the whole body and swollen lymph nodes, doctors may check for other problems.
How doctors diagnose it
Your health care provider will look at the growth on your skin to diagnose a cherry angioma. No further tests are usually necessary. Sometimes a skin biopsy (a small sample of skin) is used to confirm the diagnosis. If there is a concern that a growth could be cancer, it should be removed and sent to a lab to be checked under a microscope.
Treatment
Cherry angiomas usually do not need to be treated. If they affect your appearance or bleed often, they may be removed. Removal options include:
- Burning (electrosurgery or cautery).
- Freezing (cryotherapy).
- Laser.
- Shave excision (cutting the growth off at skin level).
Removal usually does not cause scarring, but it may. Talk with your doctor about which option fits you.
When to see a doctor
Contact your provider if the appearance of a cherry angioma (or any skin lesion) changes. Contact your provider if you have symptoms of a cherry angioma and you would like to have it removed.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Your doctor can check the growth, tell you if it is a cherry angioma, and refer you to a skin doctor if you want it removed. Follow-up visits can watch for any changes in appearance.
Common questions
Are cherry angiomas cancer?
No. Cherry angiomas are noncancerous, which means they are not cancer. They usually do not harm your health. The outlook for most patients is excellent.
What do cherry angiomas look like?
They are bright cherry-red. They are small, from pinhead size to about one quarter inch across. They are smooth, or they can stick out from the skin. They usually develop on the trunk.
Do I need to have one treated?
Usually not. Cherry angiomas usually do not need to be treated. If they affect your appearance or bleed often, they may be removed.
How are cherry angiomas removed?
Removal options include burning, freezing, laser, and shave excision. Removal usually does not cause scarring, but it may. Your doctor can help you pick an option.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
