2025 ICD-10-CM code A36.3
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Infectious and parasitic diseases - Other bacterial diseases Certain infectious and parasitic diseases Feed
Cutaneous diphtheria.An infection of the skin caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
Medical necessity for treatment of cutaneous diphtheria is established by the presence of characteristic skin lesions, potential exposure to Corynebacterium diphtheriae, and confirmation through laboratory testing.The medical necessity for preventative vaccination is based on public health guidelines and individual risk factors.
Clinicians diagnose cutaneous diphtheria based on patient symptoms, exposure history, and physical examination, sometimes confirmed by microscopic analysis of a skin tissue sample. Treatment includes administering diphtheria antitoxin and antibiotics, often with patient isolation. Patient education on vaccination with diphtheria vaccines (DTaP, Tdap, DT, and Td) for prevention is also part of clinical responsibility.
In simple words: Cutaneous diphtheria is a skin infection caused by bacteria. It spreads through contact with infected skin or things that have the bacteria on them. Symptoms can include rashes, sores, and scaling skin. Doctors diagnose it by looking at the skin and sometimes testing a small sample. Treatment involves special medicines and antibiotics.Preventing diphtheria involves getting vaccinated.
Cutaneous diphtheria is a bacterial skin infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It's typically spread through direct contact with infected skin, open sores, or contaminated objects. Symptoms include skin rashes, lesions, scaling, ulcers with well-defined borders, pustules, and eczema. Diagnosis is based on symptoms, exposure history, physical examination, and microscopic analysis of a skin tissue specimen. Treatment involves diphtheria antitoxin and antibiotics, often requiring patient isolation for about 48 hours after starting antibiotics. Prevention includes vaccination with DTaP, Tdap, DT, and Td.
Example 1: A child presents with a persistent skin rash, scaling, and small sores, particularly around a minor scrape on their leg.Upon examination and further testing, cutaneous diphtheria is diagnosed, requiring antitoxin and antibiotic treatment., An individual experiencing homelessness with limited access to hygiene develops a skin ulcer with a well-defined border. The ulcer doesn't respond to initial wound care, and further investigation reveals Corynebacterium diphtheriae, leading to a diagnosis of cutaneous diphtheria., In a region with low diphtheria vaccination rates, several individuals present with various skin lesions.Some have classic ulcerations, while others have more unusual presentations like eczema or pustules.Microscopic analysis and bacterial culture confirm cutaneous diphtheria in several cases, prompting public health intervention.
Documentation should include details of the skin lesions (location, size, appearance), patient's exposure history, results of physical examination, laboratory findings (if any, including microscopy and bacterial culture), administered treatments (antitoxin, antibiotics), and isolation procedures (if applicable).
- Specialties:Infectious Disease, Dermatology, Family Medicine, Pediatrics
- Place of Service:Office, Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Homeless Shelter, Public Health Clinic, Other Place of Service