Cellulitis ICD-10-CM Codes | 2025

What are Cellulitis ICD-10-CM Codes?

Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection affecting subcutaneous tissue and soft tissues, often resulting in swollen lymph nodes, pain, and skin discoloration. For accurate billing and documentation, practitioners should refer to the appropriate cellulitis ICD-10 codes. These codes also apply when cellulitis occurs alongside acute lymphangitis or acute lymphadenitis across various affected areas.

• L03.01 - Cellulitis of the finger: Specific codes available for each finger, including left finger and unspecified finger
• L03.03 - Cellulitis of the toe: Includes toe cellulitis with further breakdown by side
• L03.11 - Cellulitis of other parts of limb: May refer to upper limb cellulitis, lower limb, right upper limb cellulitis, left upper limb, right lower limb, left lower limb, and more
• L03.211 - Cellulitis of face
• L03.213 - Periorbital cellulitis: Often associated with infections near the lacrimal apparatus
• L03.221 - Cellulitis of neck: Can coexist with neck acute lymphadenitis
• L03.31 - Cellulitis of trunk: May include chest wall, abdominal wall, and part except buttocks
• L03.811 - Cellulitis of head (any part except face): This can be linked with any part of the head except the face.
• L03.818 - Cellulitis of other sites: Covers cellulitis of other sites like anal and rectal region, external auditory canal, or female external genital organs/male external genital organs
• L03.90 - Cellulitis, unspecified: Used when the cellulitis of unspecified location is documented

In some cases, cellulitis may present with or be misdiagnosed as:

• Eosinophilic cellulitis (Wells syndrome)
• Febrile neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweet's syndrome) – especially in differential diagnosis
• Cutaneous abscess that may progress to cellulitis
• Local infection leading to acute lymphangitis or trunk acute lymphadenitis
• Buttock cellulitis, common in sedentary or immobile patients
• Involvement of right axilla, left hand, left foot, or parts of limb

Which cellulitis ICD codes are billable? 

Only codes without asterisks, or the fully specified codes under the asterisked categories, are ICD-10 billable codes. Ensure that side, location (e.g., right upper limb, lower legs, external genital organs), and specificity are accurately documented to support reimbursement and clinical clarity.

Clinical information

Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis often co-occur due to infection spreading through the lymphatic vessels. The common symptoms include:

• Redness, swelling, and tenderness in the affected area
• Fever, headache, chills
• Warmth over the skin
• General malaise or weakness

Cellulitis of the lower legs is particularly prevalent, but clinicians must be cautious of less common areas such as the external auditory canal, neck, anal and rectal region, and abdomen.

Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis typically involves:

• Physical examination of soft tissues
• Lab analysis (blood cultures, wound cultures)
• Assessment for signs of acute lymphadenitis or deeper cutaneous abscess

Treatment options include:

• Intramuscular, oral, or IV antibiotics depending on severity
• Monitoring for complications such as febrile neutrophilic dermatosis or persistent subcutaneous tissue infection

Synonyms include:

• Diffuse cellulitis
• Cellulitis and abcess
• Abcess
• Cellulitis of skin 
• Cellulitis of skin with lymphangitis
• Wound cellulitis
• Bacterial cellulitis