The red moles are called angiomas
As we get older, more and more “age-related ailments” appear. Also, after the thirtieth year of life, more moles can appear on the skin. Have you noticed a bright red spot on your skin, in addition to the brown moles? We call this an angioma. There is a way to get rid of these red moles. This is how dermatologists explain it.
What are angiomas?
These look like bright red birthmarks, but they are actually growths of blood vessels. No one knows exactly what causes it, but it appears to be genetic. If your mom or dad have some, chances are you’ll see them show up on your skin in years to come. The red spots are not dangerous and therefore there is no medical reason to have them removed. However, it is wise to have angiomas examined by a dermatologist, explains Mohs surgeon, Anthony Rossi: “We usually think of melanoma as a dark, black birthmark, but there are other types of skin cancers like angiomas or Merkel cell carcinomas that look like little red spots,” Rossi says.
Dermatologists vs. beauticians
Whether you want to remove the angioma or not, your dermatologist can check this spot – and other spots on the body – for signs of cancer. That’s why it’s important to visit a dermatologist rather than a beautician, who isn’t medically trained, says dermatologist, Ivy Lee. The beautician can remove the spots, but not test for any malignancy.
Can I remove them myself?
Once you know that the angioma on your skin is harmless and is not cancer, it may be tempting to remove the red birthmark at home. This is a bad idea, because the DIY method can leave a scar. Angiomas are comprised of blood vessels, so sometime a normal looking patch may not stop bleeding. “In some cases, people will have to go to the emergency department to stop the bleeding,” said Dr. Lee. “That can be much more expensive than having it treated by a specialist.”
Read what treatments a dermatologist can perform to get rid of angiomas, on the following page.
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