ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for erythema
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Erythema, erythematous (infectional) (inflammation)”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding erythema
The ICD-10-CM code for erythema is L53.9 (Erythematous condition, unspecified). The official index lists 45 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on L53.9.
Within L53, choose L53.9 (Erythematous condition, unspecified) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: toxic erythema (L53.0), erythema annulare centrifugum (L53.1), erythema marginatum (L53.2), other chronic figurate erythema (L53.3) and other specified erythematous conditions (L53.8).
It is not a CC or MCC, so as a secondary diagnosis it doesn't change the MS-DRG severity level.
In MS-DRG v44.0, it is part of the grouping logic for DRG 606 (Minor Skin Disorders with MCC, relative weight 1.5728) and DRG 607 (Minor Skin Disorders without MCC, relative weight 0.8772), in MDC 09 (Diseases and Disorders of the Skin, Subcutaneous Tissue and Breast), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.
More specific erythema codes (official index)
- ab igne L59.0 — Erythema ab igne [dermatitis ab igne]
- annulare (centrifugum) (rheumaticum) L53.1 — Erythema annulare centrifugum
- arthriticum epidemicum A25.1 — Streptobacillosis
- brucellum
- chronic figurate NEC L53.3 — Other chronic figurate erythema
- chronicum migrans (Borrelia burgdorferi) A69.20 — Lyme disease, unspecified
- diaper L22 — Diaper dermatitis
- due to
- chemical NEC L53.0 — Toxic erythema
- in contact with skin L24.5 — Irritant contact dermatitis due to other chemical products
- drug (internal use)
- elevatum diutinum L95.1 — Erythema elevatum diutinum
- endemic E52 — Niacin deficiency [pellagra]
- epidemic, arthritic A25.1 — Streptobacillosis
- figuratum perstans L53.3 — Other chronic figurate erythema
- gluteal L22 — Diaper dermatitis
- heat - code by site under Burn, first degree
- ichthyosiforme congenitum bullous Q80.3 — Congenital bullous ichthyosiform erythroderma
- in diseases classified elsewhere L54 — Erythema in diseases classified elsewhere
- induratum (nontuberculous) L52 — Erythema nodosum
- tuberculous A18.4 — Tuberculosis of skin and subcutaneous tissue
- infectiosum B08.3 — Erythema infectiosum [fifth disease]
- intertrigo L30.4 — Erythema intertrigo
- iris L51.9 — Erythema multiforme, unspecified
- marginatum L53.2 — Erythema marginatum
- in (due to) acute rheumatic fever I00 — Rheumatic fever without heart involvement
- medicamentosum
- migrans A26.0 — Cutaneous erysipeloid
- chronicum A69.20 — Lyme disease, unspecified
- tongue K14.1 — Geographic tongue
- multiforme (major) (minor) L51.9 — Erythema multiforme, unspecified
- bullous, bullosum L51.1 — Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- conjunctiva L51.1 — Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- nonbullous L51.0 — Nonbullous erythema multiforme
- pemphigoides L12.0 — Bullous pemphigoid
- specified NEC L51.8 — Other erythema multiforme
- napkin L22 — Diaper dermatitis
- neonatorum P83.88 — Other specified conditions of integument specific to newborn
- toxic P83.1 — Neonatal erythema toxicum
- nodosum L52 — Erythema nodosum
- tuberculous A18.4 — Tuberculosis of skin and subcutaneous tissue
- palmar L53.8 — Other specified erythematous conditions
- pernio T69.1 — Chilblains
- rash, newborn P83.88 — Other specified conditions of integument specific to newborn
- scarlatiniform (recurrent) (exfoliative) L53.8 — Other specified erythematous conditions
- solare L55.0 — Sunburn of first degree
- specified NEC L53.8 — Other specified erythematous conditions
- toxic, toxicum NEC L53.0 — Toxic erythema
- newborn P83.1 — Neonatal erythema toxicum
- tuberculous (primary) A18.4 — Tuberculosis of skin and subcutaneous tissue
Common questions about erythema ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for erythema?
- L53.9 — Erythematous condition, unspecified. More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: L59.0, L53.1, A25.1, L53.3 and others below.
What is the ICD-10 code for ab igne erythema?
- L59.0 — Erythema ab igne [dermatitis ab igne].
What is the ICD-10 code for annulare erythema?
- L53.1 — Erythema annulare centrifugum.
What is the ICD-10 code for arthriticum epidemicum erythema?
- A25.1 — Streptobacillosis.
What is the ICD-10 code for chronic figurate nec erythema?
- L53.3 — Other chronic figurate erythema.
What is the ICD-10 code for chronicum migrans erythema?
- A69.20 — Lyme disease, unspecified.
What is the ICD-10 code for diaper erythema?
- L22 — Diaper dermatitis.
Is L53.9 billable?
- Yes. L53.9 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can L53.9 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict L53.9 as a principal diagnosis.
Is L53.9 a CC or MCC?
- No. L53.9 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.