A cherry angioma is a noncancerous (benign) skin growth made up of blood vessels.
Alternative Names
Angioma - cherry; Senile angioma; Campbell de Morgan spots; de Morgan spots
Causes
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.
They are most common after age 30. The cause is unknown, but they tend to be inherited (genetic).
Symptoms
A cherry angioma is:
Bright cherry-red
Small -- pinhead size to about one quarter inch (0.5 centimeter) in diameter
Smooth, or can stick out from the skin
Exams and Tests
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 is used to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Cherry angiomas usually do not need to be treated. If they affect your appearance or bleed often, they may be removed by:
Review Date:
11/30/2022
Reviewed By:
Ramin Fathi, MD, FAAD, Director, Phoenix Surgical Dermatology Group, Phoenix, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.