Spot the problem

Skin cherries or cherry angiomas appear as small red dots on skin which are usually smooth, about the size of a pinhead and arise due to abnormal proliferation of blood vessels supplying the skin. They typically appear on the trunk though can be seen on the neck, face, arms and legs as well.

These little red cherry angiomas or dots are also known as ruby points. They are made up of a cluster of tiny capillaries at the surface of the skin, and can range in colour from bright red to purple.

These clusters of dilated capillaries make small red or purple bumps on the skin, usually on the chest and back. Most are small (the size of a pin head), but they can grow larger and become raised and sponge-like. A dermatologist can eliminate an entire growth, with little to no scarring, by electrocautery, cryo or laser surgery.

If you notice any changes in the way a cherry angioma looks, schedule an appointment with dermatologist. It is important to have any type of lesion or growth looked at when its appearance changes. Your dermatologist will be able to rule out serious conditions, such as skin cancer.

The other cherry or ruby spots can be spider angiomas which are named due to the branching away of tiny blood vessels from its small cherry red centre. These are commonly seen with hormonal shifts in the body. Spider nevus commonly occurs when you have a lot of estrogen in your system, as is the case with chronic liver disease or during pregnancy. Spider nevus is more common in people with alcohol-related liver cirrhosis. Sudden appearance of red spots on the skin can be a cause of great concern for anyone. There are numerous conditions other than cherry angiomas or spider angiomas that can cause red spots or bleeding into the skin.

Red spots on the skin that occur singly can be a small benign growth of blood vessels, known as a hemangioma. Tiny, pinpoint hemorrhages can be seen in the skin which are referred to as petechiae.

Purpura spots are generally benign, but may indicate a more serious medical condition, such as a blood clotting disorder.

(Dr Sharma is a Chandigarh-based  dermatologist)