Cherry Angioma

An itchy bump on your skin could be caused by several factors that aren’t related to the angioma, including:

Petechiae

Petechiae are pinpoint-sized spots of bleeding under the skin or mucous membranes. The purple, red or brown dots are not raised or itchy, and they’re not a rash. Many different things can cause petechiae, and some are serious. If you or your child have petechiae that spread quickly, or if you have dots plus other symptoms, seek medical attention.

Overview

What are petechiae?

Petechiae are tiny spots of bleeding under the skin or in the mucous membranes (mouth or eyelids). They are purple, red or brown dots, each about the size of a pinpoint. They’re not raised or bumpy.

Are petechiae a rash?

Petechiae may look like a rash, but they’re not. These pinpoint red dots on the skin are caused by broken capillaries, tiny blood vessels under the skin. They are not itchy or painful.

If you press on petechiae, they’ll stay purple, red or brown. But if you press on a rash, it will turn pale or lighter.

Where can petechiae happen?

Petechiae can appear anywhere on the body but are usually found on or in the:

• Arms.
• Butt.
• Inside the eyelids.
• Legs.
• Mouth.
• Stomach.

Possible Causes

What are the possible causes of petechiae?

Several things can lead to petechiae, ranging from simple and reversible causes to serious illnesses:

• Endocarditis:Endocarditis is an infection in the lining of the heart. Other signs include fever, chills, fatigue, body aches and shortness of breath.
• Infection: Illnesses from bacteria, such as strep throat with scarlet fever, or Rocky Mountain spotted fever (spread by ticks) can cause petechiae. So can viral infections, such as cytomegalovirus or hantavirus. Other signs of infection may include fatigue, fever, sore throat, swollen glands and tonsils, body aches, nausea and vomiting.
• Injury: Damage to the skin can cause petechiae. Examples include a car accident, bite, friction on the skin or even sunburn.
• Leukemia:Leukemia is cancer in the blood and bone marrow. Other signs of this disease may include weight loss, swollen glands, easy bleeding or bruising, nosebleeds and night sweats.
• Medications: Some medications may cause petechiae, including certain antibiotics, antidepressants and medications that thin the blood.
• Mononucleosis: Also called mono, this viral infection is common among young people. It often causes fatigue, headache, sore throat, swollen glands and tonsils, and fever.
• Straining: When you strain, you can break blood vessels under the skin. Examples include when you’re throwing up, lifting something very heavy or giving birth.
• Thrombocytopenia: With thrombocytopenia, you have low levels of platelets, which help your blood clot. It may also cause easy bruising, bloody noses or gums, blood in pee or poop, and yellowish skin and eyes.
• Vasculitis:Vasculitis is inflammation (swelling) in the blood vessels. It also causes fever, headache, weight loss and nerve problems (pain, weakness or numbness).
• Viral hemorrhagic fevers:Viral hemorrhagic fevers, such as Ebola and dengue fever, make it hard for the blood to clot. Other symptoms may include high fever, easy bruising or bleeding, body aches and weakness.
• Vitamin C deficiency: When your body doesn’t get enough vitamin C, you can develop scurvy. Other signs include swollen gums, achy joints, easy bruising and shortness of breath.

Care and Treatment

How are petechiae treated?

Treatment for petechiae varies depending on the cause. For straining or a skin injury, you may not need any treatment. If there is a more serious cause, you may need:

• Antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection.
• Chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy or bone marrow transplant to treat leukemia.
• Corticosteroids to reduce swelling in the blood vessels.
• Drugs that suppress the immune system.
• Vitamin C supplements.

What can I do at home to treat petechiae?

If you have petechiae, you should call your doctor. Some home remedies that may help include:

• Cold compresses.
• Lots of fluids.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
• Rest.

How can I prevent petechiae?

It’s not possible to prevent all causes of petechiae. But you can help prevent infections that lead to petechiae with some simple strategies:

• Avoid anyone who’s sick.
• Clean countertops, door handles and other high-touch surfaces frequently.
• Don’t share items that may have touched someone else’s mouth or nose (like a cup or toothbrush).
• Protect your skin from sun damage with clothing, sunscreen and shade.
• Use insect repellant in grassy areas and the woods to prevent tick bites. Also, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, and make sure to check your body for ticks afterward.
• Wash your hands often.

When To Call the Doctor

When should I call my doctor?

Petechiae can be a sign of a severe illness or medical emergency, especially in children. Seek medical attention if you have pinpoint red dots on the skin and:

• Confusion, dizziness or loss of consciousness (syncope, or passing out).
• Fever.
• Spots that spread quickly.
• Trouble breathing.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Petechiae are tiny spots of bleeding under the skin. They can be caused by a simple injury, straining or more serious conditions. If you have pinpoint-sized red dots under your skin that spread quickly, or petechiae plus other symptoms, seek medical attention.

Cherry Angioma

Cherry angiomas are small, red bumps on your skin that are harmless to your overall health. Angiomas commonly appear after age 30 and can be removed if you don’t like how they look.

Overview

What is a cherry angioma?

Cherry angiomas are small, pinhead-like lesions on your skin that appear most commonly on your torso, arms and legs of your body. Cherry angiomas are:

• Round.
• About 2 millimeters (mm) to 4 mm in size.
• Light to dark red.

The term “cherry” references their color and appearance on the skin, as angiomas typically form in groups.

What are other names for a cherry angioma?

Cherry angiomas are also called Campbell de Morgan spots or senile angiomas (used when referring to their occurrence in older adults).

What is the difference between cherry angiomas and cherry hemangiomas?

Cherry angiomas and cherry hemangiomas are very similar in how they look, but are made of different cells. Angiomas are benign growths made of blood vessels or lymphatic vessels, whereas hemangiomas are small growths made of blood vessels only. Cherry angiomas are most commonly associated with adults. Hemangiomas can appear in early infancy through childhood.

How common are cherry angiomas?

An estimated 50% of adults have cherry angiomas on their skin after age 30. Cherry angiomas are also very common in about 75% of adults aged 75 years or older.

Who gets cherry angiomas?

Anyone can get cherry angiomas but most appear with age, with no difference in race or gender/sex. They can be present on healthy individuals and those with pre-existing medical conditions.

Are cherry angiomas a sign of another medical condition?

Cherry angiomas aren’t dangerous or harmful. They’re benign growths that can easily be confused with melanoma and moles. Although it can be scary to see a new growth on your skin, cherry angiomas aren’t a sign of cancer.

Symptoms and Causes

What causes cherry angiomas?

The direct cause of cherry angiomas is unknown. But research has identified several factors that can cause cherry angiomas to appear on your skin, including:

• Aging.
• Pregnancy (hormones).
• Genetic mutations.
• Chemical exposure (topical nitrogen mustard, bromides and butoxyethanol).

What does a cherry angioma look like?

• Bumps on the skin (1 mm – 5 mm in diameter).
• Light to dark red in color.
• Surrounded by a pale halo.
• Often appear in groups.

Should cherry angiomas itch?

Cherry angiomas are asymptomatic and shouldn’t itch. If you notice your skin feels itchy near angiomas, be cautious not to scratch the area because you could irritate the angioma and cause it to bleed.

An itchy bump on your skin could be caused by several factors that aren’t related to the angioma, including:

If you notice the bump on your skin continues to itch and is causing you discomfort, contact your healthcare provider for treatment.

Why are women who are pregnant at more of a risk for cherry angiomas?

Though the reason for their origin is unknown, cherry angiomas are often seen among people who are pregnant. Studies show that hormones and high prolactin levels (a hormone made by your pituitary gland) may be a factor in their development on your skin during pregnancy. Often, cherry angiomas will involute (reduce in size or disappear on their own) after delivery.

Diagnosis and Tests

How are cherry angiomas diagnosed?

Cherry angiomas are diagnosed by a visual examination of your skin. No tests are needed to diagnose this condition.

Management and Treatment

How are cherry angiomas treated?

No treatment is necessary to treat cherry angiomas. You may prefer to have cherry angiomas removed because you don’t like how they look.

What should I do if my cherry angioma is bleeding?

Since cherry angiomas are raised bumps on your skin, they could easily be scratched or injured, which could cause bleeding or infection. If your cherry angioma is bleeding, treat the area of your skin as a wound, by cleaning it, applying antibacterial ointment and covering it with a bandage.

Can I remove cherry angiomas?

Yes, cherry angiomas are commonly removed because people don’t like how they look on their skin or the location of the angioma bleeds frequently due to injury. A surgeon can remove your cherry angioma. Often, the removal of cherry angiomas can cause scarring. Don’t attempt to remove cherry angiomas at home, only trained medical professionals should remove angiomas from your skin for your safety.

How are cherry angiomas removed?

Cherry angiomas are removed by:

• Electrodesiccation (electric needle).
• Liquid nitrogen (cold gas).
• Laser.

Will my cherry angiomas come back after I get them removed?

Sometimes cherry angiomas will return to your skin after you get them removed. If they do come back, you don’t need to worry because they’re harmless.