Little Red Dots on Your Skin After 50: Cherry Angiomas and Removal Options
SkinArticleThose bright red bumps on the chest, back and arms are usually cherry angiomas, harmless blood vessel growths that show up in about three in four adults over 75. Removal is mostly cosmetic and may leave a scar. A sudden crop of many new spots, or a red bump that changes or bleeds easily, deserves a closer look.
Small, bright red, dome-shaped bumps on your chest, back or upper arms are very often cherry angiomas (also called cherry hemangiomas). They’re one of the most common skin growths in adults.1
What they are
- Harmless growths of tiny blood vessels, usually 1 to 5 millimeters across1
- Mostly on the trunk and upper arms, and rarely on the face, hands or feet1
- More common with age: seen in about 7% of teens but about 75% of adults over 751
- Found in people of all skin tones and in women and men equally1
There’s no clearly known cause, though aging seems to play a role.1 They don’t turn into cancer.1 They usually blanch (fade) when pressed and can bleed if scratched or nicked.1
When to get one checked
- A spot that doesn’t look like your others, grows, changes, or bleeds easily. A rare form of melanoma without dark pigment can look similar, so if there’s doubt, it should be removed and examined.1
- A sudden crop of many new spots. This “eruptive” pattern can be linked to certain medicines or, rarely, to blood or lymph conditions, especially with fever, swollen glands or other symptoms.1
Our guides to skin self-exams and full-body skin checks explain how to keep track.
Removal options
People usually remove them for appearance or because they catch and bleed.1 Options include:1
- Electrocautery (heat), often after numbing, for small spots
- Shave removal with cautery for larger ones
- Freezing
- Lasers or intense pulsed light
Any removal can leave a scar.1 Because it’s usually cosmetic, insurance may not cover it. Ask about cost first. Our articles on seborrheic keratosis removal and home mole removal risks cover related decisions.
Questions to ask
- Are these all cherry angiomas, or should any be examined further?
- Which removal method has the lowest scarring risk for my skin?
- What will it cost, and is any of it covered?
Try: “I’ve noticed more red dots on my chest this year. Are they cherry angiomas, and is there anything that should be biopsied?”
Skin, Head to Toe includes a short-shelf planner and a 12-week SkinLog. Use them to photograph new spots so you can see whether any change. See the book.
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It isn't a substitute for diagnosis or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional who knows your health history. Please don't ignore professional advice or delay getting care because of something you read here. A new spot that changes, grows quickly, bleeds without injury or looks different from your others should be checked by a dermatologist. A sudden crop of many new spots with fever, night sweats, weight loss or swollen glands needs prompt medical evaluation. If you think you may be having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. This article discusses a common skin finding. Girl Playbook does not endorse any specific product, test, or provider.
Girl Playbook sells this book. It provides education and worksheets, not individualized medical care.
Sources
The research behind this article, in the order it’s cited. How we source our articles.
- StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine)Cherry Hemangioma (opens in a new tab)abcdefghijklm
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