TL;DR: Key Takeaways
- Cherry angiomas = bright red, smooth, dome-shaped, harmless
- Blanch (lighten) when pressed — the key benign sign
- Amelanotic melanoma is the dangerous mimic — pink, firm, doesn't blanch, grows
- BCC and SCC can also present as red bumps that bleed or don't heal
- Any red spot that grows, bleeds, or doesn't blanch needs evaluation
Part of the Sun Damage vs Skin Cancer hub.
At a Glance
| Feature | Cherry Angioma | Amelanotic Melanoma / BCC / SCC |
|---|---|---|
| Colour | Bright cherry red to purple, uniform | Pink, red, or skin-coloured; sometimes mixed pigment |
| Shape | Round, dome-shaped, symmetric | Irregular, asymmetric, or rolled edges (BCC) |
| Size | 1–5 mm, stable | Often >5 mm at diagnosis, growing |
| Blanching when pressed | Lightens or disappears momentarily | Does not blanch — solid lesion |
| Texture | Soft, smooth | Firm, sometimes pearly (BCC) or scaly (SCC) |
| Bleeding | Only if scraped or injured | Bleeds spontaneously or with light contact |
| Change over time | Stable for years | Grows over weeks to months |
| Danger | None | Cancer — early detection is crucial |
How a Cherry Angioma Looks
- Bright cherry-red or purple dome on the skin
- Soft, smooth, easily compressible
- 1–5 mm in size, stable for years
- Blanches (lightens) when pressed with a fingertip or glass slide
- Usually multiple, often on the trunk, after age 30
How the Cancer Lookalikes Look
- Amelanotic melanoma — pink or red bump, firm, may grow over months, often mistaken for a pimple that won't heal
- Basal cell carcinoma — pearly pink papule with visible small blood vessels; may have a central crust or ulcer
- Squamous cell carcinoma — red scaly bump, often tender, sometimes ulcerated
- Pyogenic granuloma — fast-growing red bump that bleeds easily; benign but often biopsied to rule out cancer
Got a red spot that doesn't fit?
AI screens for amelanotic melanoma, BCC, SCC and 80+ skin conditions in 30 seconds.
The 5 Visual Clues Dermatologists Use
- Blanching test — true angiomas blanch; cancers and pyogenic granulomas do not
- Firmness — angiomas are soft; cancers are usually firm or pearly
- Growth — angiomas are stable; cancers grow
- Bleeding pattern — spontaneous bleeding is a red flag
- Surface — pearly (BCC), scaly (SCC), or smooth-and-pink (amelanotic melanoma)
Red-Flag Checklist
- A red bump that has grown over the last 1–3 months
- A red lesion that bleeds without being touched
- A 'pimple' or 'scab' that hasn't healed in 4+ weeks
- A pearly or translucent pink papule (suggests BCC)
- Any red spot that's firm, painless, and doesn't blanch — see a dermatologist within 2–4 weeks
Is it BCC? Get a free AI screening
Upload a photo of the spot. Our AI screens for basal and squamous cell carcinoma. Works in any phone browser — no install.
Screen this spot freeNo app · works in Safari & Chrome