These small red or violet spots most often appear on the chest or trunk and are nothing to worry about. They're small, benign (non-cancerous) overgrowths of blood vessels in the skin. Medically, they're called haemangioma or just angioma. Why they develop in the first place isn't known. They're usually less than 6mm in diameter and if pressed do not blanch.
Other names for Campbell de Morgan spots are cherry angioma because of their colour, or senile angioma because they appear as a person gets older - usually first appearing after the age of 40 and increasing with age.
Experts agree they're best left alone since they're harmless. However, some people do find them cosmetically unacceptable and wish to have them removed.
Removal is best done either using laser therapy or a process called electrocautery where the spots are heated to seal off the blood vessels. These treatments aren't without their risks since infection or scarring are possible complications.
This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Trisha Macnair in November 2007
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These small red or violet spots most often appear on the chest or trunk and are nothing to worry about. They're small, benign (non-cancerous) overgrowths of blood vessels in the skin. Medically, they're called haemangioma or just angioma. Why they develop in the first place isn't known. They're usually less than 6mm in diameter and if pressed do not blanch.
