Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAppearance, Location & TextureRemovalCausesRemoval MethodsWhat to Avoid
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Appearance, Location & Texture
Removal
Causes
Removal Methods
What to Avoid
Red moles, also known ascherryangiomasor cherryhemangiomas, are small skin growths containing blood vessels. They appear as round red or slightly purple spots in adults age 30 or older. Though they can look like a smallmole, they are not a sign ofskin cancer.
Red moles can be flat or raised. They often exist without symptoms. Some may itch or bleed in response to trauma.
This article describes red mole appearances, causes, and removal. It also explains how to protect red moles that remain in place.
Rupendra Singh Rawat / Getty Images
Red Moles Appearance, Location, and Texture
Appearance:
Location and size:
Texture:
How to Tell the Difference Between Skin Cancer and a Mole
Do Red Moles Need to Be Removed?
Red moles usually do not have to be removed for medical reasons. They typically are asymptomatic andbenign. Red moles are regarded as completely harmless with no potential for cancer development.
You may choose to have red moles removed if they bleed after trauma or are in an area where they are often bumped or pulled, resulting in frequent bleeding. Removal may also be desired for red moles that irritate your skin, affect your appearance, or cause emotional distress.
Causes: Why Red Moles Appear on Skin
There are no specific known causes of red moles. However, research indicates that people with a family history of red moles are more likely to have them.
The following risk factors can also contribute to your chances of having red moles:
16 Causes of Red Spots on Skin
Available (and Optional) Removal Methods
While most small red moles can remain in place without bothering you, the following methods can remove them with a low risk of complications:
When Should You Get Rid of a Mole?
What to Not Do With Red Moles
If you have asymptomatic red moles, they are usually fine left alone. Avoiding possible complications involves the following:
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.
Do not spend time outdoors without protection from ultraviolet (UV) light, which is the most preventable risk factor for all skin cancers. For maximum protection, do not leave your house without the following:
Do not delay in contacting your healthcare provider if you notice any of the following changes in a red mole:
Summary
Red moles appear as tiny red dots on your skin. 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.
While there is no known cause for red moles, they occur more often with age. Other factors such as pregnancy, exposure to certain chemicals, and some health problems have been linked to the reasons they occur.
Most red moles do not cause symptoms. Talk to your healthcare provider about ways to remove them due to problems with itching, bleeding, or their appearance. Do not attempt to remove a red mole yourself. Doing so increases your risk of infection and scarring.
While most red moles are harmless, alert your healthcare provider to changes in the size, number, color, or shape of red moles.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Mount Sinai.Cherry angioma.
Kaiser Permanente.Cherry angioma/hemangioma.
DermNet.Cherry angioma.
Medline Plus.Cherry angioma.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Life is just a bowl of cherry angiomas.
Askari N, Reza Vaez-Mahdavi M, Moaiedmohseni S, et al.Association of chemokines and prolactin with cherry angioma in a sulfur mustard exposed population — Sardasht-Iran cohort study.International Immunopharmacology. 2013;17(3):991-995. doi:10.1016/j.intimp.2012.12.016
Pastor-Tomás N, Bañuls J, Nagore E.Clinical relevance of cherry angiomas.Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas. 2023;114(3):T240-T246. doi:10.1016/j.ad.2022.10.040
Darjani A, Rafiei R, Shafaei S, et al.Evaluation of lipid profile in patients with cherry angioma: a case-control study in Guilan, Iran.Dermatol Res Pract. 2018;2018:4639248. doi:10.1155/2018/4639248
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.
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