Red moles, known as cherryangiomas, are small, round, red, or purplish skin growths.
Though they may resemble moles, they’re not the same.
Additionally, cherry angiomas are not signs of skin cancer.
Rupendra Singh Rawat / Getty Images
However, they’re not dangerous, so there’s no medical reason to remove them.
Rupendra Singh Rawat / Getty Images
What Are Cherry Angiomas?
If you have multiple cherry angiomas, they may vary in size, but theyre still small.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Raimo Suhonendermnetnz.org2023.
They may be flat and smooth or stick out slightly.
Though cherry angiomas can appear anywhere on your body, they usually grow on the trunk.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
mheim3011 / Getty Images
Reproduced with permission from DermNet and Raimo Suhonendermnetnz.org2023.
Cherry Angiomas vs. Moles
Despite being called red moles, cherry angiomas are not moles.
The two lesions are very different.
Cherry angiomas are made up of tiny, dilated blood vessels.
They’re also harmless; they don’t change, enlarge, or transform into skin cancer.
By comparison, moles consist of clusters of melanocytes.
Melanocytes are cells that produce the pigment (melanin) that gives your skin its color.
These skin lesions can turn cancerous, causingmelanoma, the most serious and deadliest key in of skin cancer.
If this happens, it may be a side effect of certain medications or signal an underlying condition.
Angiomas are tiny and appear after 30.
Hemangiomas are a jot down of birthmark.
They can also develop under the skin or on organs.
mheim3011 / Getty Images
Symptoms
Cherry angioma symptoms involve their appearance.
These lesions should not be painful or itchy.
However, they can easily bleed if scratched or rubbed.
However, research indicates that people with a family history of red moles are more likely to have them.
Removal Methods
Red moles usually don’t have to be removed for medical reasons.
Check with your provider about the expenses involved in having an optional removal procedure.
Do not shave over your red mole.
A raised red mole is vulnerable to bleeding if you nick it during shaving.
It can also increase your risk of causing an infection or scar.
Do not tattoo over a mole.
Tattooing over a mole may prevent you from noticing any changes that could be early signs of skin cancer.
Protect yourself from ultraviolet (UV) light whenever you’re in the sun.
They can be flat or round and raised.
Though they often appear on your trunk, red moles can form anywhere.
Red moles are not considered to be a sign or risk of cancer.
However, consult your healthcare provider if their appearance changes.
Most red moles do not cause symptoms.
Do not attempt to remove a red mole yourself.
Doing so increases your risk of infection and scarring.
National Library of Medicine: Medline Plus.Cherry angioma.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Moles.
Castleman Disease Collaborative web connection.About Castleman disease.
Castleman Disease Collaborative connection.Signs and symptoms.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Hemangioma.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Life is just a bowl of cherry angiomas.
2023;114(3):T240-T246.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Products marketed for removing moles and other skin lesions can cause injuries, scarring.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.When is a mole a problem?
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer.
Kaiser Permanente.Moles: care instructions.