Cherry Angioma; At A Glance
- Best Results1 session
- Treatment Recovery1+ days
- Procedure Time10 mins
- Skin SpecialistTherapist, nurse
- Duration of ResultsPermanent
- AnaestheticCooling spray/gel
- Back to WorkImmediately
- Cost$
Cherry Angioma
Cherry angiomas are common pink to red coloured bumps that increase with age. Though harmless, angiomas may be unsightly. Simple vascular lasers can markedly diminish cherry angiomas in just one treatment.
FactsFacts On Spider Veins
- Cherry angiomas are common red lesions measuring several millimeters in diameter
- They form in the mid 30s & increase with age
- The best way to treat angiomas is with a vascular laser
- Treatments are fast, effective & painless
- Marked clearance is seen with only one treatment
How do dermatologists diagnose cherry angiomas?
Cherry angiomas are clinically diagnosed, without the need for invasive procedures. These red lesions are typically 2 to 6 mm in diameter, with distinctive characteristics upon magnification. They may be solitary, or occur in multitudes, scattered throughout the body.
How to treat cherry angiomas?
We use the following lasers to treat vascular lesions; DermaV, VBeam Prima & Perfecta, Sciton Joule, 755 Alex as well as the ExcelV in my Sydney office. My favorite lasers incorporate in-built cooling sprays, known as cryogen gas. They markedly reduce discomfort for patients during the treatment; especially good for treating spider angiomas in children.
What is involved in the laser procedure?
Laser light feels like a short snap. In some cases we double pulse, meaning 2 short snaps delivered over 1-2 seconds. All procedures are done in our accredited laser suites in Brisbane & Sydney. During the procedure you will have eye protection glasses on. Pain? About 2 out of 10.
Will cherry angiomas come back after the laser?
Recurrence is rare. Partially treated spider angiomas may recur, & hence why we prefer bruising settings to get the job done within one session. For more mature patients, there may be a genetic susceptibility to spider angiomas, hence you may develop more over time; especially for females.
What are the possible side effects of treatment?
Side effects are super rare, but include-
- Prolonged swelling >72 hours
- Bruising
- Ulceration- approximately 5% of cases. May take 7 days to heal
- Scarring from the laser- approximately 1% of cases
- White spots or demarcation; especially on the chest. This is not a side effect, but occurs because of background sun damage.
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What happens if I don’t treat cherry angiomas; do they go away?
Angiomas will remain & very slowly grow in size to reach a maximum of 7 to 9 mm. They may be associated with itch (especially with neighboring age warts or seborrhoeic keratosis), or bleed when catched on clothing. The chances of angiomas turning into cancer is zero.
What is so special about angiomas on the body & torso?
It is not that lasers do not work, on the contrary, they work too well. Even with a 5 mm spot size, removing angiomas on the body will leave new skin (same color as the inner arm). This will give areas of demarcation which look worse than the angiomas themselves. This especially applies to patients with background sun damage.
What else can look like a cherry angioma?
A spider naevus or an early atypical venous lake can look like a cherry angioma. A dermatologist or dermatology nurse can tell the difference. Management for all three lesions are similar, namely vascular lasers.
How much is laser treatment?
Cost for spider angioma removal is as follows-
- 1-5 spots $390 nurse
- 5-40 spots $590 nurse
- 1-40 spots $990 dermatologist
Most cases require only one treatment. Our nurses & therapists are trained in this procedure, see them over a dermatologist as you will be receiving the same treatment.
What is the relationship between spider veins & rosacea?
Lasers are the best way of treating angiomas. Your GP can elect to perform other treatments such as –
- Diathermy, cautery or hyfrecation with pin-point needles
- Excision
- Liquid nitrogen freezing with a probe
Can creams & topicals remove cherry angiomas?
No. Creams have no effect on established cherry angiomas. Topicals can provide symptomatic relief for adjacent seborrheic keratosis. A simple skin care
Davin’s viewpoint on treating cherry angiomas
Cherries are universally seen – barnacles on the ship of life. Present in the 30s to 40s, they increase in number & size over the decades. Though unsightly, in most cases they do not pose any concerns, however in a subpopulation of patients, they can number in the 100s & can be symptomatic, namely bleed or itch. The latter may occur with adjacent seborrheic keratosis or age warts.
How to treat them? Simple vascular lasers (or IPL – BBL with a template or cut out) provide the best outcomes without scarring. This procedure is performed by our nurses or dermal therapist (in Sydney, consult Louise at DVP). One to two sessions will clear the majority.
DIY? Can be done with cryotherapy for warts, but you must match the spot size to that of the cherry angioma; or scarring may occur. Another option is with diathermy or cautery, albeit a higher incidence of scarring & pigmentation changes.
