Can You Get Cherry Angiomas Removed?
Key takeaways:
Cherry angiomas are small, bright-red spots on your skin that can occur anywhere on the body. They’re made up of clusters of small blood vessels.
Cherry angiomas aren’t harmful, so removal is optional. But some people may want to get rid of them if they bleed or if they’re bothered by their appearance.
A healthcare professional can remove these growths with techniques including cryotherapy, electrocauterization, shave excision, and laser treatment.
Table of contents
If you’ve noticed bright-red, raised dots beginning to appear on your skin, you may be looking at cherry angiomas. These benign (noncancerous) spots are tiny clusters of small blood vessels called capillaries. Cherry angiomas are common and are more likely to appear as you get older.
Even though cherry angiomas are harmless, some people want to get rid of them because they don’t like the way they look.
We’ll review the different approaches a dermatologist can use to remove cherry angioma.
What is a cherry angioma?
Cherry angiomas, also known as cherry hemangiomas, are harmless skin growths. They usually appear on your stomach or back, but they can arise anywhere on your body. They get their name from their bright, cherry-red color, though some can be blue or purple.
Cherry angiomas tend to appear as you get older. And they can grow larger over time. They’re typically small, less than the size of a pimple (1 mm to 3 mm).
What type of spot do you have? Learn the differences between spots and how to treat them.
Skin tags also happen with age: See what it costs to remove skin tags.
Can I get spider veins removed? Yes, there are several treatments you can get to remove them.
What causes cherry angiomas?
It’s not exactly known exactly what causes cherry angiomas. They may be a normal part of getting older, because they usually start to appear in your 30s and 40s. Most older adults over age 75 have them. But some people develop cherry angiomas in their teens.
Experts know that genetics play a role in how likely you are to get cherry angiomas. They’re also more common during pregnancy. But when they happen in pregnancy, they tend to go away after you’ve had your baby.
How do you remove cherry angiomas?
Cherry angiomas aren’t harmful, but they can be bothersome for some people. They can bleed, get irritated, or you may just not like the way they look. If this is the case for you, you can get them removed.
It’s best to get them removed by a healthcare professional. Most of the time, this is a dermatologist (a skin specialist). Trained professionals at a medical spa may be able to perform some of the following procedures as well. Cost of removal varies but can range from $200 to $400 for a session. One session can usually treat a cluster of them.
Your healthcare professional will have a few options for getting rid of cherry angiomas. For all of the techniques below, they’ll numb the skin so that the removal isn’t painful.
Cryosurgery
Cryosurgery is one of the more common removal methods. It freezes the cherry angiomas using a gas called liquid nitrogen.
After your skin is numb, your healthcare professional will use a cotton swab or spray device to apply the gas to the angioma. Your skin should heal in 7 to 10 days, typically without leaving a scar.
Electrocautery
Heat can also remove cherry angiomas. Electrocautery involves a pen-like device with electricity running through it. The electric current doesn’t harm you.
Expect scabs to develop in the treated areas after 1 or 2 days. These will fall off in about 5 to 10 days.
Shave excision
This technique is better for larger cherry angiomas. A sharp blade is used to shave off the growth in thin slivers until it’s gone.
The treated area may be red for a few weeks, but it fades over time. Sometimes, electrocautery will be used after the procedure to stop any bleeding.
Laser treatment
Special skin lasers direct a beam of energy at the cherry angiomas to remove them. There are several types of lasers. Your healthcare professional will choose the best laser for your skin color to minimize any discoloration. For example, certain types are better for people with darker skin. You may have some mild bruising after laser treatments.
Can you remove cherry angiomas at home?
It is not a good idea — or safe — to remove cherry angiomas at home. You may see products or home remedies that supposedly get rid of the cherry angiomas. But there’s no scientific evidence that they work. And they might even be harmful. Some over-the-counter (OTC) products marketed as skin removal ointments, gels, and liquids may contain high concentrations of harmful ingredients.
If you try do-it-yourself products, you may have an increased risk of:
Bleeding
Pain
Infection
Scarring
This is why it’s really important to see a healthcare professional to have cherry angiomas removed. It will be more comfortable and safer for you.
Can cherry angiomas come back after they’re removed?
It’s possible for cherry angiomas to return after they’ve been removed. But there are no ways to prevent cherry angiomas from coming back. If this happens, don’t be alarmed. They’re still harmless.
The bottom line
Cherry angiomas can be bothersome, but they aren’t dangerous. This means that removing them is up to you. Many people remove them because they don’t like how they look. And if yours tend to bleed or get irritated, your healthcare professional may suggest removing those too.
Always see a healthcare professional if you want to get rid of them. There are several procedures for removing these growths. You will discuss the pros and cons of each method so you can decide which technique is best for you.
Why trust our experts?
References
Buslach, N., et al. (2020). Treatment modalities for cherry angiomas: A systematic review. Dermatologic Surgery.
Clebak, K. T., et al. (2020). Cutaneous cryosurgery for common skin conditions. American Family Physician.
Hainer, B. L., et al. (2002). Electrosurgery for the skin. American Family Physician.
Qadeer, H. A., et al. (2023). Cherry hemangioma. StatPearls.
U. S. Food and Drug Administration. (2022). Products marketed for removing moles and other skin lesions can cause injuries, scarring.
Venosa, A. (2022). DIY don’ts: Why at-home mole removal is a bad idea. Skin Cancer Foundation.
