From the Research
Cherry angiomas are benign skin growths that do not require treatment unless they bleed, become irritated, or cause cosmetic concerns, and the most effective treatment options include pulsed dye laser, cryotherapy, or shave excision, as reported in the most recent study 1. Cherry angiomas are small, bright red, benign skin growths that commonly appear on the trunk, arms, and legs. These growths are made up of clusters of dilated blood vessels and typically range from 1-5mm in diameter. They are extremely common, affecting nearly 75% of people over age 75, and usually develop after age 30. Some key points to consider when treating cherry angiomas include:
- The use of pulsed dye laser, which is preferred over other laser therapies due to decreased procedure-related pain 1
- The risk of pigmentary changes associated with certain laser therapies, such as potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) and pulsed dye laser (PDL), particularly in darker-skinned individuals 1
- The effectiveness of non-laser therapies, including cryotherapy, sclerotherapy, electrosurgery, and radiofrequency ablation 1
- The importance of consulting a dermatologist to rule out more serious conditions if rapid changes in size, color, or shape of any skin growth are noticed, or if it bleeds easily 2 It is also worth noting that cherry angiomas are not associated with any underlying medical conditions and pose no health risk, and their exact cause is unknown, but they appear to be related to aging, genetics, and possibly hormonal changes or chemical exposure 3.