2025 ICD-10-CM code L74.51
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Dermatology - Disorders of skin appendages Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L00-L99) Feed
Primary focal hyperhidrosis, affecting a specific area of the body.
Medical necessity for treatment of primary focal hyperhidrosis is established by the significant impact of excessive sweating on the patient’s quality of life, social functioning, and daily activities.The severity of the condition and the patient's response to conservative measures (e.g., antiperspirants) should be documented.
Diagnosis and management of hyperhidrosis, including assessment of the extent and location of sweating, ruling out secondary causes, and recommending treatment options (e.g., topical antiperspirants, iontophoresis, Botox injections, or surgery).
- Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L00-L99)
- L74.51 is a sub-classification under L74 (Eccrine sweat disorders), which falls under the broader category of Disorders of Skin Appendages (L60-L75).
In simple words: Excessive sweating in one specific area of the body (like armpits, hands, feet, or face) that is not caused by another medical problem or medicine.More detail is needed to specify the exact location of the sweating.
Primary focal hyperhidrosis (L74.51) is a diagnosis code in the ICD-10-CM classification system that refers to excessive sweating localized to a specific body area, such as the axilla (underarms), palms, soles, or face.It is characterized by sweating that is not caused by another underlying medical condition or medication.This code requires further specification to indicate the precise affected area (e.g., L74.510 for axilla, L74.511 for face, L74.512 for palms, L74.513 for soles, or L74.519 for unspecified location).
Example 1: A 25-year-old woman presents with excessive sweating limited to her armpits, significantly impacting her daily life and causing social anxiety.Physical examination confirms focal hyperhidrosis of the axillae, with no other signs of generalized hyperhidrosis or underlying medical conditions. The code L74.510 would be used., A 40-year-old man complains of excessive palmar sweating affecting his ability to perform his job as a surgeon.He has had no other symptoms. A thorough evaluation excludes secondary hyperhidrosis. This case would use code L74.512., A 16-year-old adolescent is seen for excessive sweating limited to the face.The sweating is so significant that it affects their ability to attend social events. The code L74.511 is appropriate.
A detailed history of the patient’s symptoms, including the location, duration, severity, and any triggering factors; a physical examination documenting the area(s) affected by excessive sweating, noting its extent and appearance; and a thorough review of systems to rule out secondary causes of hyperhidrosis.
** For accurate coding, thorough documentation is crucial to differentiate primary focal hyperhidrosis from generalized hyperhidrosis (R61) or secondary hyperhidrosis caused by other medical conditions.The severity of the condition and its impact on the patient's quality of life should be clearly documented to support medical necessity for treatment.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Dermatology
- Place of Service:Office, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center