The cherry hemangiom--a type of capillary hemangioma--is red because it is filled with arterial blood.

Most hemangiomas are cherry red, but some have enough deoxygenated venous blood to appear purple, as shown here.

CAPILLARY HEMANGIOMA

The cherry hemangioma or capillary hemangioma (CH) is an extremely common, benign vascular bleb on the skin of most humans.

Most adults over 30 have one or more red vascular "blood blisters" on the trunk.
In one study of adults 30-39 years of age, 90% of the men and 65% of the women had at least one cherry angioma.

Clinical

CH usually appear as small, dome-shaped or slightly raised papules. Sometimes, they appear almost "petechial" as 1-2 mm. red macules. Most hemangiomas are cherry red, but some have enough deoxygenated venous blood to appear purple.

Treatment

Treatment is usually not necessary. If desired for cosmetic or functional reasons, each lesion may treated with the pulsed dye laser (e.g. Vbeam). Electrocautery may also be done, but is a little more likely to leave a small scar.

Additional Pictures

Many CH covering the abdomen.

Close up.

Almost "petechial".

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