From the Research
Cherry angiomas are benign skin growths that can be effectively treated with various modalities, including laser therapy, cryotherapy, and electrosurgery, with the choice of treatment depending on the individual case and patient preferences, as reported in the most recent and highest quality study 1. The diagnosis of cherry angiomas is typically made based on their characteristic appearance as small, bright red or purple spots on the skin, and can be confirmed by histopathological examination if necessary.
- Cherry angiomas are common, benign skin growths that appear as small, bright red or purple spots on the skin.
- They are made up of clusters of dilated blood vessels and typically range from 1-5mm in diameter.
- These growths usually develop after age 30 and tend to increase in number with age.
- Cherry angiomas are harmless and don't require treatment unless they bleed, cause discomfort, or create cosmetic concerns. The treatment options for cherry angiomas include:
- Laser therapy, such as pulsed dye laser (PDL) or neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser, which can be effective in removing the lesions with minimal side effects, as reported in 1 and 2.
- Cryotherapy, which involves freezing the lesion with liquid nitrogen, and can be a quick and effective treatment option, as mentioned in 1 and 3.
- Electrosurgery, which involves using electric current to destroy the lesion, and can be used to remove smaller cherry angiomas, as described in 3. The most effective treatment modality for cherry angiomas is laser therapy, specifically PDL, which has been shown to be effective in removing the lesions with minimal side effects, as reported in the most recent and highest quality study 1. It's worth noting that the choice of treatment depends on the individual case and patient preferences, and a dermatologist should be consulted to determine the best course of treatment.
- The exact cause of cherry angiomas remains unknown, but hormonal changes, genetics, climate, and chemical exposure may contribute to their formation, as mentioned in 1 and 4.
- While cherry angiomas typically don't indicate any underlying health issues, any sudden appearance of multiple cherry angiomas should prompt a medical evaluation to rule out other conditions, as reported in 1 and 4.