What should you know about face cherry angioma?

Cherry angiomas, also called red moles or Campbell de Morgan spots, can be smooth or slightly raised. They may occur on the face, trunk, or limbs and can be noticed more clearly as skin changes over time. Their colour comes from superficial blood vessels, so a spot may bleed if it is scratched, shaved, or rubbed.

A typical lesion is small, well defined, and consistently red or reddish-purple. A new, rapidly changing, very dark, irregular, painful, or repeatedly bleeding mark should not be assumed to be a cherry angioma; examination helps distinguish it from other skin lesions.

Do not pick, squeeze, or try to remove the spot at home. Take a clear photograph if you want to monitor its appearance, and arrange a skin assessment if its shape, colour, size, or bleeding pattern changes.

If removal is desired because of irritation or appearance, a dermatologist may discuss pulsed dye laser treatment or electrosurgery. The choice depends on the lesion’s features, location, skin type, and your healing history. Treatment can leave temporary redness, crusting, or a colour change, so aftercare and sun protection matter.

Book a dermatology review for a spot that changes quickly, bleeds without a clear cause, forms a persistent sore, becomes painful, or looks unlike your other red spots. Seek prompt medical advice if bleeding does not settle with gentle, continuous pressure.

Ask whether the spot has the typical features of a cherry angioma, whether it needs examination with a dermatoscope, and which removal option best fits its facial location. You can also ask how to protect the treated area and which changes should trigger follow-up.