Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Cherry angiomas or a red mole is a disorder of the skin. This condition is classified as a benign tumor. Read more about the symptoms, causes, and how to deal with them below.

What are Cherry Angioma?

Cherry angiomas is a skin growth that looks like a mole. In accordance with the name “cherry” which is red, this mole is also generally bright red.

This condition is very rare in children. However, cases often occur in adults over the age of 30. As you get older, the risk of this skin disorder also increases.

Symptoms of Cherry Angioma on the Skin

Some of the characteristics that can be observed from the appearance of this red mole include:

• Although generally bright red in color, it can also be bluish or purplish in color.
• When a mole is pressed, the color change will generally be white or pale.
• Round shape like a circle or oval.
• Sizes vary, but most grow to a few millimeters (mm) in diameter.
• Growths can be anywhere on the body, but are most common on the chest, abdomen and back.
• This condition generally appears in groups.

Causes of Cherry Angioma

Until now the exact cause of this condition is not known with certainty. Even so, some experts suspect that this condition tends to be genetic.

In addition, the age factor also contributes greatly to the emergence of this condition. In some cases, someone over the age of 40 has a higher risk of experiencing it.

On the other hand, several studies have shown bromide exposure to be a cause of cherry angiomas. Bromide is a chemical element in many everyday items, including baking ingredients, prescription drugs and plastics. Even so, further research is needed to prove this claim.

Apart from being associated with exposure to chemicals, this condition is often associated with pregnancy, certain medical conditions, and climate.

Also Read: Often Considered the Same, Recognize the Differences between Malignant and Benign Tumors

Diagnosis of cherry angiomas

Although generally harmless, you can check the condition to the doctor if there is an abnormal growth on the skin.

The doctor will diagnose this condition by performing a visual examination directly on your skin. So, no special tests are needed to help with the diagnosis.

Cherry Angioma Treatment

In general, this condition is not dangerous. Therefore, action to deal with it is unnecessary.

It’s just that, if an angioma is disturbing in terms of beauty, the doctor can provide a number of treatment recommendations to do, including:

1. Excision

This method involves cutting the lesion from the skin. Before starting the procedure, the doctor will usually give you a local anesthetic first to minimize pain.

After the procedure, you may experience pain and discomfort. Not only that, this procedure can also cause scarring.

2. Electrodesication

Electrodesiccation is a method that is also known as electrocautery. This action involves burning the skin growth.

This method is generally used to treat benign tumors, serious skin cancer, and precancer.

The doctor will start the procedure by injecting a local anesthetic. Then, the doctor will use an electric needle to destroy the blood vessels and erode the angioma. After that, the wound from the procedure will be bandaged using sterile gauze.

As a side effect, electrodesiccation usually leaves small white scars.

Also Read: Human Circulatory System: Definition, Functions, Diseases

3.Cryosurgery

Another treatment that can be used to treat the resulting skin growths cherry angiomas is cryosurgery.

The method is done by freezing the network. The doctor will spray liquid nitrogen on the area to freeze it.

This technique blisters the angioma. In some cases, the angioma may scab before being removed.

Compared to other treatments, cryosurgery may be less effective than other methods.

4. Lasers

This method can help remove growths on the skin that interfere with appearance.

Lasers work by sending strong beams that penetrate into the outer skin layers, even down to the deep skin layers.

After treatment, the angioma may turn gray, take on another darker color, or disappear. The treatment marks will fade over the next 2 to 4 weeks.

Usually the results of the action can be felt after two treatments. However, this depends on a person’s skin color. It is possible that a single laser can remove a small angioma.

For best results, avoid sun exposure for 4 weeks after laser treatment.

Cherry angiomas generally a harmless condition. However, if you feel itchy around the affected skin area, avoid scratching it to reduce the risk of irritation and injury.

DoctorHealthy | © 2023 PT Media Kesehatan Indonesia. Copyright Protected