I have little red moles on my skin: what should I know?

Cherry angiomas are usually smooth or slightly raised, red to purple spots that can occur on the trunk, arms, or other skin. They may bleed after rubbing, scratching, or catching on clothing. Their appearance can overlap with other vascular or pigmented lesions, so a photograph or online description cannot confirm the diagnosis. A clinician may inspect the spot with magnification and decide whether further evaluation is needed.

Do not pick, cut, or attempt to burn a red spot at home. Take a clear photograph for comparison, protect it from friction, and note whether its size, colour, surface, or symptoms change. If it repeatedly catches or bleeds, a dermatologist can discuss removal options such as pulsed dye laser treatment or electrosurgery after confirming what it is. Removal is not always necessary.

Book a dermatology assessment for a spot that changes quickly, develops an irregular border or mixed colours, repeatedly bleeds, crusts, ulcerates, becomes painful, or looks different from your other spots. Seek prompt care for persistent bleeding or signs of infection such as increasing warmth, swelling, pus, or fever.

Ask whether the lesion has the typical features of a cherry angioma, whether it should be monitored or removed, and what warning changes matter. If removal is considered, ask about scarring, pigment changes, bleeding, aftercare, and recurrence.