Cherry Angiomas are also known as senile angiomas and de Morgan spots. They are round, slightly elevated ruby-red papules 0.5-6 mm in diameter and are the most common vascular anomalies of the skin. It is rare for individuals over the age of 30 not to have a few, and the numbers increase with aging. Probably every patient over 70 has some senile angiomas. Most appear on the trunk, but are rarely seen on the hands or feet. Although it has been uncommonly reported to appear in the head and neck region, I have observed numerous lesion on the face and scalp in my patients.
The picture above documents lesions on the forehead region. When lesions are surrounded by a purpuric halo, amyloidosis should be suspected. Eruptive lesions have been described after nitrogen mustard therapy and we have reported angiomatous lesions associated with ipratropium bromide called Bromangiomas. To read about Bromangiomas click HERE.
TREATMENT: Treatment is not required for these very benign lesions. If the patient wants them treated for cosmetic reasons a number of options are available. I have had success with use of electrocautery after applying a topical anesthetic cream. Laser ablation with intense pulsed light (IPL or Fotofacial) and long pulse Nd:YAG laser systems are very effective. Shave excision can also be performed and works well for those patients with just a few lesions in a cosmetic distribution or for larger lesions. To read more about Cherry Angiomas click HERE and HERE.