SKIN CONDITIONS
Angiomas
Angiomas are red or pink spots or lumps on the skin, made up of small blood vessels.
- About 50% of adults have cherry angiomas after age 30
- Treatment is rarely medically necessary
- Cosmetic treatment is highly effective
Angiomas are common harmless skin lesions that appear on the skin, increasing in frequency with age.
What do angiomas look like?
Angiomas, sometimes known as haemangiomas, vary in colour from pink to dark red. They can develop anywhere on the body but are most common on the torso, arms and legs.
- Cherry angiomas are round and typically 2-4mm in diameter.
- Spider angiomas have a central red spot with radiating fine lines resembling a spider’s legs. When [present in large numbers, they may be a sign of liver disease.
- Angiokeratomas have a darker appearance. They are a type of angioma that includes epidermal (skin) cells. They sometimes have a rough or warty appearance.
- Pyogenic granuloma is a large angioma which may grow quickly.
MBBS, MA (Virtual Comm), Grad Cert Hlth Info, Grad Dip Comp Inf Sci
Multiple cherry angiomas
Close-up view of an angioma on white skin
Thrombosed angioma
Pyogenic granuloma on the chest
Dermoscopic view of a pyogenic granuloma
Dermoscopic view of a spider angioma
Who gets angiomas?
About 50% of adults have cherry angiomas after age 30, and they are even more common in individuals aged 75 or older. They occur in both males and females, with no significant gender or racial bias. Spider angiomas are more common in childhood or pregnancy.
The cause of angiomas is unknown. They tend to be inherited, i.e. people whose parents have angiomas will likely develop them.
Treatment of angiomas
Angiomas are harmless, and treatment is not required for medical reasons. However, they may be inconvenient or unsightly. Unwanted angiomas are easy to treat with BBL intense pulsed light, vascular laser and electrosurgery.
Complications
If an angioma is scratched or cut, it may bleed.
Sometimes, a blood clot forms inside an angioma. This is known as a thrombosed angioma. Typically, the patient will notices a new very dark or black spot, which causes alarm. Thrombosed angiomas are harmless and they resolve without treatment.
Treatments for angiomas
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