ICD-10 Code for Cellulitis
The default ICD-10-CM 2027 code for cellulitis (diffuse) (phlegmonous) (septic) (suppurative) is L03.90 – Cellulitis, unspecified. More specific codes depend on the details documented, as listed in the official index (51 codes, 44 billable).
- Main code
L03.90– Cellulitis, unspecified- Billable
- Yes
Index entries for Cellulitis
- abdominal wall –
L03.311 - anaerobic –
A48.0 - ankle – see Cellulitis, lower limb
- anus –
K61.0 - arm – see Cellulitis, upper limb
- auricle (ear) – see Cellulitis, ear
- axilla –
L03.11-(header) - back (any part except buttock and flank) –
L03.312 - breast (acute) (nonpuerperal) (subacute) –
N61.0- nipple –
N61.0
- nipple –
- broad ligament
- acute –
N73.0
- acute –
- buttock –
L03.317 - cervical (meaning neck) –
L03.221 - cervix (uteri) – see Cervicitis
- cheek (external) –
L03.211- internal –
K12.2
- internal –
- chest wall –
L03.313 - chronic –
L03.90 - clostridial –
A48.0 - corpus cavernosum –
N48.22 - digit
- finger – see Cellulitis, finger
- toe – see Cellulitis, toe
- Douglas' cul-de-sac or pouch
- acute –
N73.0
- acute –
- drainage site (following operation) –
T81.49(header) - ear (external) –
H60.1-(header) - eosinophilic (granulomatous) –
L98.3 - erysipelatous – see Erysipelas
- external auditory canal – see Cellulitis, ear
- eyelid – see Abscess, eyelid
- face NEC –
L03.211 - finger (intrathecal) (periosteal) (subcutaneous) (subcuticular) –
L03.01-(header) - flank –
L03.31A - foot – see Cellulitis, lower limb
- gangrenous – see Gangrene
- genital organ NEC
- gluteal (region) –
L03.317 - gonococcal –
A54.89 - groin –
L03.314 - hand – see Cellulitis, upper limb
- head NEC –
L03.811- face (any part, except ear, eye and nose) –
L03.211
- face (any part, except ear, eye and nose) –
- heel – see Cellulitis, lower limb
- hip – see Cellulitis, lower limb
- jaw (region) –
L03.211 - knee – see Cellulitis, lower limb
- labium (majus) (minus) – see Vulvitis
- lacrimal passages – see Inflammation, lacrimal, passages
- larynx –
J38.7 - leg – see Cellulitis, lower limb
- lip –
K13.0 - lower limb –
L03.11-(header)- toe – see Cellulitis, toe
- mouth (floor) –
K12.2 - multiple sites, so stated –
L03.90 - nasopharynx –
J39.1 - navel –
L03.316 - neck (region) –
L03.221 - nipple (acute) (nonpuerperal) (subacute) –
N61.0 - nose (septum) (external) –
J34.0 - orbit, orbital –
H05.01-(header) - palate (soft) –
K12.2 - pectoral (region) –
L03.313 - pelvis, pelvic (chronic)
- female –
N73.2– see also Disease, pelvis, inflammatory- acute –
N73.0
- acute –
- following ectopic or molar pregnancy –
O08.0 - male –
K65.0
- female –
- penis –
N48.22 - perineal, perineum –
L03.315 - periorbital –
L03.213 - perirectal –
K61.1 - peritonsillar –
J36 - periurethral –
N34.0 - periuterine –
N73.2– see also Disease, pelvis, inflammatory- acute –
N73.0
- acute –
- pharynx –
J39.1 - preseptal –
L03.213 - rectum –
K61.1 - retroperitoneal –
K68.9 - round ligament
- acute –
N73.0
- acute –
- scalp (any part) –
L03.811 - scrotum –
N49.2 - seminal vesicle –
N49.0 - shoulder – see Cellulitis, upper limb
- specified site NEC –
L03.818 - submandibular (region) (space) (triangle) –
K12.2- gland –
K11.3
- gland –
- submaxillary (region) –
K12.2- gland –
K11.3
- gland –
- thigh – see Cellulitis, lower limb
- thumb (intrathecal) (periosteal) (subcutaneous) (subcuticular) – see Cellulitis, finger
- toe (intrathecal) (periosteal) (subcutaneous) (subcuticular) –
L03.03-(header) - tonsil –
J36 - trunk –
L03.319 - tuberculous (primary) –
A18.4 - umbilicus –
L03.316 - upper limb –
L03.11-(header)- axilla – see Cellulitis, axilla
- finger – see Cellulitis, finger
- thumb – see Cellulitis, finger
- vaccinal –
T88.0(header) - vocal cord –
J38.3 - vulva – see Vulvitis
- wrist – see Cellulitis, upper limb
How to choose the right code
Start with the main term, then pick the indented subterm that matches the documentation (type, cause, site, laterality, episode of care). Always confirm the code in the tabular list: follow its Excludes1/Excludes2, “code first” and “use additional code” notes, and add a 7th character where required.
Source: CDC/NCHS ICD-10-CM FY2027 alphabetic index.