2025 ICD-10-CM code L03.90
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Infections - Infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L00-L99) Feed
Cellulitis, unspecified; a bacterial skin infection affecting the deeper layers of skin.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the encounter.Refer to the official guidelines for appropriate modifier use.
Medical necessity for treatment is established by the presence of clinical findings consistent with cellulitis, which requires appropriate antibiotic treatment to prevent the spread of infection and potential complications.
Diagnosis and treatment of cellulitis; this may involve physical examination, laboratory tests to identify the causative organism, and antibiotic prescription.Surgical drainage may be necessary in cases of abscess formation.
- Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L00-L99)
- Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue > Infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
In simple words: Cellulitis is a bacterial infection deep within the skin.It makes the skin red, swollen, and painful, and can cause fever.This code is used when the exact location of the infection isn't known.
L03.90, Cellulitis, unspecified, is an ICD-10-CM code representing a bacterial infection of the deep layers of the skin.It is characterized by redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, and warmth in the affected area.Systemic symptoms like fever and chills may also be present.The infection spreads through the loose connective tissue, potentially involving subcutaneous tissues and sometimes muscle.It commonly arises from wounds, ulcers, or other skin lesions.This code is used when the specific location of the cellulitis is unknown or not specified in the medical documentation.It's crucial to note that this is an unspecified code; more specific codes exist for cellulitis in different anatomical locations (e.g., leg, arm).
Example 1: A 65-year-old male patient presents with a swollen, red, and painful lower leg.He reports a history of a minor cut a few days prior.Physical examination reveals local warmth and tenderness.Diagnosis: Cellulitis of the lower leg (L03.11)., A 30-year-old female patient presents with facial swelling, redness, and fever.She reports no recent trauma.Physical examination shows erythema and tenderness around the right eye.Diagnosis: Cellulitis of the face (L03.0)., A 20-year-old presents with a swollen and painful arm after a cat scratch.The patient has localized redness, swelling, and tenderness around the affected area. Fever and chills were reported. Diagnosis: Cellulitis of the upper limb (L03.10).
Thorough documentation is essential, including the location of the cellulitis (if known), the presence of any underlying wounds or skin lesions, systemic symptoms (fever, chills), and results of any laboratory tests (e.g., blood cultures).
** This code should not be used if the cellulitis involves specific anatomical locations for which more specific codes exist. Always use the highest level of specificity available in the medical record.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Infectious disease, dermatology, family medicine, emergency medicine
- Place of Service:Office, Emergency Room - Hospital, Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Urgent Care Facility