Contact Dermatitis ICD-10-CM codes

Contact dermatitis is split into three categories by mechanism: L23 allergic contact dermatitis, L24 irritant contact dermatitis, and L25 unspecified contact dermatitis. Within each, the 4th character names the agent: metals (L23.0, L24.81), adhesives (L23.1), cosmetics (L23.2, L24.3, L25.0), drugs in contact with skin (L23.3, L24.4, L25.1), dyes, other chemicals, food, and plants (L23.7 for poison ivy or oak, L24.7, L25.5). When the provider documents contact dermatitis with neither mechanism nor agent, the code is L25.9.

The FY2022 expansion added L24.A- for irritant dermatitis due to body fluids (L24.A2 for incontinence-associated dermatitis, L24.A1 for saliva) and L24.B- for dermatitis around a stoma or fistula (L24.B1 digestive, L24.B2 respiratory, L24.B3 fecal or urinary stoma). Use these rather than L24.9 when the record describes moisture or stoma damage. Diaper dermatitis in infants and adults is L22.

Dermatitis from a substance taken internally is not contact dermatitis: use L27.0 (generalized drug eruption), L27.1 (localized drug eruption) or L27.2 (dermatitis due to ingested food). For drug-related codes, add the T36-T50 adverse effect code to identify the drug. Occupational exposures may take an additional Y-code for external cause when the payer requires it.