Milwaukee City Wire

If you’re about 30 years old or older, you may have noticed the random and sudden appearance of little red dots on your skin, sometimes raised or sometimes flat. You may have even wondered if you had a run-in with a red Sharpie somewhere along the course of your day.

What should I do if I suspect I have a red mole?

“You can usually self-diagnose a cherry angioma, or red mole,” explains Dr. Gary Metcalf, a family medicine practitioner at Aurora Medical Center – Bay Area in Marinette, Wis. “It’s not usually necessary to have a medical professional diagnose.”

So, are they dangerous?

“Red moles are really just a cluster of overgrown blood vessels and are thought to be genetic,” says Dr. Metcalf. “They are entirely harmless.”

Sure, but what if I don’t like how they look?

Though benign, if you prefer to remove red moles for cosmetic purposes, Dr. Metcalf describes procedures for removal:

• Cryosurgery, or freezing with liquid nitrogen, to terminate the mole
• Laser surgery uses heat to destroy the mole
• Shave excision is more like traditional surgery, in that it may require the mole to be dug or cut out
• Electric current can also be used to extinguish the mole

Do I ever need to see a doctor for a red mole?

“Even though red moles do tend to change over time, you should see a doctor if it changes in size, shape or color, as you would with a regular mole,” Dr. Metcalf says. “As always, if something is concerning you, don’t hesitate to seek a medical professional.”

Are you trying to find a dermatologist? Look here if you live in Illinois. Look here if you live in Wisconsin.

Original source can be found here.