Red moles on skin: Causes and treatment options

Red moles on skin, also known as cherry angiomas, senile angiomas or Campbell de Morgan spots, are common skin growths that develop in most areas of the body. Red raised moles usually appear on the neck, face, back or chest, but they can occur almost anywhere on the body. Cherry angiomas are round, about 2-4 mm in size and are dark or light red in color.

Red moles on the skin usually occur in people over 30 and are typically not a cause for concern, as they're harmless. However, if the mole bleeds or changes its size, color and shape, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible. Bleeding can occur if the mole is rubbed, scratched or cut open.

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Causes of cherry angioma

The exact causes of cherry angioma are unknown, but medical experts believe that age and genes are two of the most common causes of red moles on skin. Additionally, pregnancy, certain medications, exposure to certain chemicals and climate can also contribute to cherry angioma.

They often begin to develop when people reach their 30s and increase in number and size with age. There're also several factors that increase the risk of red moles on the skin. These include:

• Cancer
• Exposure to chemicals
• Weak immunity

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How are red moles on skin treated?

Age and genes are two of the most common causes of red moles on skin. (Photo via Instagram/theanatomynerdpodcast)

Cherry angioma is harmless, and you probably won’t need any treatment, but if you want to get rid of it for cosmetic reasons, you do have a few options. Some common treatment options to get rid of red moles include:

Cryosurgery

It's one of the quickest and easiest procedures for removing red moles from skin. This treatment option involves freezing the mole with liquid nitrogen and is over in just one session. The liquid nitrogen is sprayed on the mole for about ten seconds.

Laser surgery

This involves using a pulsed dye laser to eliminate red moles on skin. It's a concentrated yellow laser that provides heat to remove the lesion. After the procedure, the mole disappears, or in some cases, turns gray or other darker color, but it fades in 3-4 weeks.

Depending on how many red moles you have, you may need at least two sessions of laser treatment to see the best results. This process can cause a little bruising for 7-8 days, but the moles eventually disappear.

Electrocauterization

Electrocauterization is a surgical method in which the angioma is burnt using an electric current. This method is commonly used for skin cancers and benign tumors.

Excision

This method involves shaving or cutting the red mole from skin. There may be some discomfort after this procedure and can also result in scarring. This procedure is an alternative to surgery and involves shaving out skin growth and using sutures or stitches to close the wound.

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Are there any home remedies for cherry angiomas?

Laser treatment can help with red moles on skin. (Photo via Pexels/Polina Tankilevitch)

While there are several home remedies to shrink or permanently remove red moles on skin, like using apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil and iodine, keep in mind that there's no scientific evidence to support that any of these solutions are effective.

In fact, doctors also do not recommend removing cherry angioma at home for several reasons. First of all, it needs to be confirmed that skin growth is a red mole and not a lesion that requires other treatments. Secondly, it's unsafe to burn, shave, freeze or cut a cherry angioma at home without proper guidance, as it can be painful and lead to scarring and infection if not done professionally.

Anyone who wants to undergo a red mole removal should always consult a doctor to discuss the best treatment options.