Angiomas in Boston, MA

Angiomas are a common skin growth that can develop in most areas of the body. Known as "cherry angiomas," these bright red moles are a small collection of blood vessels inside the angioma. An angioma typically ranges in size from a pinpoint to about one-fourth of an inch. Often seen on the torso, legs, arms, and shoulders, these growths can appear slightly raise or flush with the skin. There is usually no need for concern with an angioma unless it begins to bleed or change in appearance. At Skin Center Boston, our dedicated dermatologist, Dr. Vladyslava Doktor, can help diagnose and treat angiomas in men and women of Boston, Chestnut Hill, and Dover, MA and surrounding areas.

Angiomas represent a group of overgrown cells that can be diagnosed through an examination at Skin Center Boston in Boston, MA. There are three main symptoms that describe angiomas: appearance, location, size, and shape. Angiomas are small, cherry-red in color, are often found on the chest, back, or shoulders, and look more like a dot than a bump. While bleeding and irritation can be seen, it's not typical and is usually the result of shaving or scratching the angioma. While angiomas are technically considered a tumor, they are completely benign and don't often have cause for alarm.

If you've noticed small, cherry-red dots or bumps on your skin, you could have angiomas. While harmless, these can be unsightly for some and cause embarrassment or self-consciousness. If you are interested in having these groups of overgrown cells removed, contact dermatologist Dr. Vladyslava Doktor at Skin Center Boston. She is serving men and women in the Boston, Dover, Harvard, and surrounding areas today.

The exact cause of angiomas is unknown, but it's thought that it is a random variation in aging cells. While blood vessels typically grow after an injury to help heal a wound, as people age, their cells become more prone to mistaking an injury and end up causing an overgrowth of blood vessels. Women who are experiencing hormonal changes, such as pregnancy, may be more prone to get angiomas, as well as those with family members who have the condition. At Skin Center Boston, dermatologist Dr. Vladyslava Doktor can help Boston, Brookline, Dover, and surrounding area men and women determine if they have angiomas and if a treatment plan is necessary.

Angiomas are harmless and don't necessarily require any treatment. However, some people may choose to have them removed for personal reasons. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways. After a consultation, dermatologist Dr. Vladyslava will decide the best course of action for removing an angioma. Some may be removed using a laser treatment that uses heat to destroy the angioma. Another option would be electrocautery where a special tool is used to cut off (or shave off) the angioma. Cryotherapy may also be used to remove angiomas, which is a process that uses a cold substance, like liquid nitrogen, to remove the angioma.