Cherry Angiomas: Small Red Dots on Skin

Small red dots on the skin can be surprising, especially when they seem to appear out of nowhere. One common possibility is a cherry angioma, a small vascular skin growth that often looks bright red, ruby, or sometimes deeper purple.

Cherry angiomas are usually benign, but a dermatologist should evaluate any spot that is new, changing, bleeding without clear reason, painful, irregular, or simply difficult to identify. At Waverly DermSpa in Fort Lauderdale, Dr. Maryann Mikhail, MD, takes a calm, careful approach to skin concerns so patients can understand what they are seeing and what options may be appropriate.

Quick answer

• Cherry angiomas are common benign vascular growths made up of small blood vessels.
• They may look like tiny red, cherry-colored, purple, or dark red dots or bumps.
• They are often seen on the trunk, arms, shoulders, and other areas, and they may become more noticeable with age.
• Most do not need treatment, but removal may be considered for cosmetic comfort or irritation.
• A dermatologist can help distinguish a cherry angioma from other red or changing skin lesions.

What are cherry angiomas?

A cherry angioma is a small collection of blood vessels near the surface of the skin. It may be flat or slightly raised, pinhead-sized or a few millimeters across, and smooth to the touch. The color can range from bright red to dark red, purple, or almost black, especially if the area has been irritated or thrombosed.

Although the word angioma can sound serious, cherry angiomas are generally considered benign skin growths. The important point is that not every red spot is the same, so a professional evaluation is helpful when a spot looks unusual or does not behave the way you expect.

Common causes or triggers

Cherry angiomas are not usually caused by anything you did wrong. They tend to appear more often with age and may also be influenced by genetics and normal changes in small blood vessels in the skin.

• Age-related changes: Many people notice more of these spots over time.
• Family tendency: Some people are simply more prone to developing them.
• Skin friction or minor irritation: A raised spot may bleed if scratched, shaved over, or rubbed by clothing.
• Normal vascular changes: Cherry angiomas are related to small blood vessels in the skin rather than clogged pores or acne.

What you can do at home

For a spot that has already been identified by a dermatologist as a cherry angioma and is not bothering you, home care is usually simple. Avoid picking, scratching, or attempting to cut it off at home, since vascular spots can bleed and may become irritated.

• Protect the area from repeated rubbing when possible.
• Use gentle skincare and avoid harsh scrubs directly over raised spots.
• Take a clear photo if you are monitoring whether a spot is changing.
• Schedule an evaluation if a spot bleeds repeatedly, changes quickly, or looks different from your other skin markings.

Professional options

If a cherry angioma is cosmetically bothersome, catches on clothing, or bleeds after irritation, a dermatologist can discuss professional options. Common approaches may include laser-based treatment, electrosurgery, shave removal, or another in-office method depending on the size, location, skin type, and diagnostic certainty.

These treatments are not one-size-fits-all. Your clinician can help you weigh comfort, downtime, pigment-change risk, scarring risk, and whether a lesion should be examined more closely before any cosmetic removal is considered.

At Waverly DermSpa, we offer Excel V+ and can help you understand whether it may be appropriate.

When to see a dermatologist

It is worth booking an appointment when a red dot is new and rapidly changing, bleeds without a clear trigger, looks irregular, becomes painful, forms a non-healing sore, or seems different from your other spots. You should also be evaluated if you are not sure whether the spot is a cherry angioma, a mole, a broken blood vessel, a rash-related spot, or another type of lesion.

A dermatologist can use clinical examination and, when appropriate, dermoscopy or biopsy to clarify what a lesion is. This is especially important in sunny South Florida, where regular skin checks can be part of a thoughtful prevention routine for year-round residents, snowbirds, and international visitors.

FAQ

Are cherry angiomas dangerous?

Cherry angiomas are generally benign. Still, any new, changing, bleeding, or unusual spot should be checked so a dermatologist can confirm what it is.

Can cherry angiomas go away on their own?

Many stay in place once they appear. Some may change slowly over time. If one bothers you, a dermatologist can discuss whether removal is reasonable.

Why do I keep getting more small red dots?

Cherry angiomas often become more common with age, and some people are more prone to them than others. A dermatologist can help confirm whether the spots you are seeing are cherry angiomas or something else.

Can I remove a cherry angioma at home?

It is not recommended to cut, burn, or pick at a suspected cherry angioma at home. Because these spots involve small blood vessels, they can bleed and become irritated.

Will removal leave a mark?

Any skin procedure can leave temporary or lasting changes such as redness, pigment change, or a small mark. Your clinician can review realistic expectations based on your skin and the spot being treated.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. For diagnosis and personalized treatment, please book an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist.

Sources & further reading

• DermNet – Cherry Angioma: Features, Causes, and Removal
• Cleveland Clinic – Cherry Angioma: What It Is, Causes & Removal
• American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) – What to Look For: ABCDEs of Melanoma