2025 ICD-10-CM code L50.0
Allergic urticaria. This is a skin reaction triggered by an allergen, causing raised, itchy bumps (wheals).
Medical necessity for treatment is established by the presence of symptoms impacting the patient's quality of life, such as significant itching, pain, or interference with daily activities. Severe reactions with associated angioedema or anaphylaxis warrant urgent medical attention.
Diagnosis and management of allergic urticaria typically falls under the purview of primary care physicians, allergists/immunologists, or dermatologists.Responsibilities include identifying the allergen(s), prescribing appropriate medications (antihistamines, corticosteroids), and educating patients on avoidance strategies.
In simple words: Hives caused by an allergy.It looks like raised, itchy red welts on the skin.
Allergic urticaria is a hypersensitivity reaction characterized by the development of wheals (hives), which are raised, itchy, and well-circumscribed skin lesions resulting from localized edema in the dermis. It is caused by exposure to an allergen that triggers the release of histamine and other mediators from mast cells, leading to vasodilation and increased vascular permeability.
Example 1: A 25-year-old female presents with sudden onset of itchy, raised welts all over her body after eating peanuts. She has a known peanut allergy. This is consistent with allergic urticaria (L50.0)., A child develops hives after being stung by a bee.The child has no prior history of bee stings.This represents a case of allergic urticaria (L50.0)., A patient with a history of penicillin allergy develops hives after receiving a dose of amoxicillin.This is an example of drug-induced allergic urticaria (L50.0).
Documentation should include a detailed description of the urticarial lesions (size, distribution, morphology), the time course of onset, any identified triggers (foods, medications, insect stings, etc.), associated symptoms (angioedema, anaphylaxis), past medical history of allergies, and response to treatment.
** For patients with chronic urticaria lasting longer than 6 weeks, consider codes L50.8 (Other urticaria) or L50.9 (Urticaria, unspecified).
- Specialties:Allergy/Immunology, Dermatology, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics
- Place of Service:Office, Emergency Room - Hospital, Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Urgent Care Facility,Telehealth Provided in Patient’s Home, Telehealth Provided Other than in Patient’s Home