2025 ICD-10-CM code L03.113
Cellulitis of the right upper limb.
Medical necessity for treatment of cellulitis is established by the presence of signs and symptoms of infection, as well as the potential for complications if left untreated. The severity of the infection and the patient's overall health status influence the choice of treatment setting (outpatient vs. inpatient).
Physicians typically diagnose cellulitis based on physical examination and patient history. They are responsible for prescribing the appropriate antibiotic treatment, monitoring the infection's response to therapy, and managing any complications that may arise.
- Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L00-L99)
- Infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L00-L08)
In simple words: This code indicates a skin infection in your right arm.
This code specifies a bacterial infection affecting the skin and subcutaneous tissues of the right upper limb, typically characterized by redness, swelling, warmth, and pain.
Example 1: A patient presents with redness, swelling, and pain in their right forearm following a minor scrape. The physician diagnoses cellulitis and prescribes oral antibiotics., A patient with diabetes develops cellulitis of the right upper arm after an insect bite. Due to the patient's underlying condition, the physician admits them for intravenous antibiotic therapy., A patient undergoing chemotherapy develops neutropenia and subsequently presents with cellulitis of the right hand. The physician initiates broad-spectrum antibiotics and consults with an infectious disease specialist.
Documentation should include the location and extent of the cellulitis, the presence of any associated symptoms (e.g., fever, lymphangitis), the patient's medical history (especially risk factors like diabetes or immunocompromise), and the treatment plan.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Dermatology, Infectious Disease
- Place of Service:Office, Inpatient Hospital, Emergency Room - Hospital, Urgent Care Facility, Outpatient Hospital