Quick Summary
- Cherry angiomas are extremely common, benign growths made of clustered small blood vessels — bright red or purple, usually small and round.
- Melanoma is typically brown, black, or multicolored — true melanoma is rarely bright cherry-red, which is a helpful distinguishing clue.
- Cherry angiomas increase in number with age and are not related to sun exposure or skin cancer risk.
- A cherry angioma will blanch (temporarily lighten) slightly with firm pressure since it's made of blood vessels; pigmented lesions like melanoma do not.
- Any red or pigmented spot that's new, rapidly growing, bleeding without trauma, or changing shape should be evaluated regardless of which category it seems to fit.
Cherry angiomas are one of the most common — and most harmless — skin growths adults develop, but their bright red color can understandably cause a moment of worry. The good news is that color itself is one of the most useful clues that separates them from melanoma.
What a Cherry Angioma Is
A cherry angioma is a small, benign growth made of a cluster of dilated blood vessels near the skin's surface — essentially a tiny, harmless vascular bump. They're typically bright red or slightly purple, round, and dome-shaped, ranging from pinpoint size to a few millimeters across. They become increasingly common with age (most adults have at least a few by their 40s and 50s) and tend to appear on the trunk, though they can occur anywhere. They are not caused by sun exposure and are not associated with any increased skin cancer risk.
What Melanoma Looks Like
Melanoma arises from pigment-producing cells and is typically brown, black, or a mix of colors — true melanoma is only very rarely bright red, which is genuinely useful information when you're trying to sort out what you're looking at. Melanoma follows the ABCDE pattern: asymmetry, irregular borders, color variation, diameter over about 6mm, and evolving appearance over time. It can arise from an existing mole or appear as a new spot.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Cherry Angioma | Melanoma |
|---|---|---|
| Color | Bright red or purple | Brown, black, or multicolored (rarely red) |
| Made of | Clustered blood vessels | Pigment-producing cells |
| Blanches with pressure? | Yes, slightly | No |
| Related to age/sun | Increases with age, not sun-related | Strongly linked to UV/sun exposure |
| Cancer risk | None | Yes — requires evaluation and treatment |
A Simple Clue: The Blanch Test
Because cherry angiomas are made of blood vessels, pressing on one firmly with a clear glass or your fingertip can cause it to temporarily lighten slightly as blood is pushed out of the visible vessels. Pigmented lesions like melanoma, which get their color from pigment rather than blood, won't show this effect. This isn't a substitute for a professional exam, but it's a helpful piece of the picture.
Have a new or unusual spot you want checked?
Our board-certified dermatologists see patients at our Burien and Bellevue offices — same-week appointments are often available.
Schedule a Skin CheckWhen to See a Dermatologist
Cherry angiomas don't need to be removed unless they're irritated by clothing or you want them gone cosmetically — a quick in-office procedure either way. Any spot that's brown, black, multicolored, asymmetric, changing, or bleeding without an obvious injury should be evaluated promptly, regardless of how confident you feel about what it looks like.