No distinction can be made on the basis of sex. Frequency increases with age. In the past these lesions were often referred to as senile angiomas. Cherry angiomas typically present in the third or fourth decades of life and early lesions may appear as small red macules. They may be found on all body sites, but generally spare the mucous membranes.
Most patients report an increase in number and size of individual lesions with advancing age.
The color of these lesions is classically described as bright cherry red, but they may appear more violaceous at times. Rarely a lesion will have a dark brown to nearly black color when a hemorrhagic plug occupies the vascular lumen, often raising concern about the possibility of a malignant melanoma. Very little is known about factors that contribute to the formation of these lesions. Several reports have described the appearance of many small red papules histologically resembling cherry hemangiomas, in patients with malignancies. However, a vast majority of lesions occur in patients who are healthy.