Contact Dermatitis ICD-10-CM Codes

Learn more about ICD-10 codes used for contact dermatitis, their billability, and more clinical information.

By Gale Alagos on Aug 8, 2025.

What ICD-10 codes are used for contact dermatitis?

Contact dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin condition that occurs when the skin comes into contact with an irritant or allergen. Healthcare providers must accurately diagnose and code contact dermatitis to ensure proper treatment and appropriate billing.

ICD-10-CM codes are crucial in standardizing medical records, treatment plans, and billing diagnoses for skin and subcutaneous tissue conditions. Given that it might be due to different agents, allergic contact dermatitis is specified with possible causes, such as food allergic contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis unspecified cause might also be the case for some patients.

These ICD-10 codes include the following:

L23.0—Allergic contact dermatitis due to metals: This code denotes skin allergic reactions caused by metal substances, such as nickel.
L23.1—Allergic contact dermatitis due to adhesives: This code denotes skin allergic reactions caused by adhesives, like band-aids or medical tapes.
L23.2—Allergic contact dermatitis due to cosmetics: Used when cosmetics are confirmed as the allergic trigger rather than merely irritating.
L23.3—Allergic contact dermatitis due to drugs in contact with skin: This applies when topical medications cause allergic reactions.
L23.4—Allergic contact dermatitis due to dyes: Allergic contact dermatitis due to dyes is used when fabric dyes, hair dyes, or other colorants cause allergic skin reactions.
L24.0—Irritant contact dermatitis due to detergents: This code indicates that contact dermatitis is caused by irritants like detergents.
L24.1—Irritant contact dermatitis due to oils and greases: Irritant contact dermatitis of this cause is used when industrial oils or greases are diagnosed to cause irritant contact dermatitis.
L25.0—Unspecified contact dermatitis due to cosmetics: The cosmetics unspecified contact dermatitis code is used when the specific cosmetic causing the dermatitis is not identified as either allergic or irritant.
L25.1—Unspecified contact dermatitis due to drugs in contact with skin: This code is used when the mechanism (allergic vs. irritant) is unknown.
L25.2—Unspecified contact dermatitis due to dyes: Unspecified contact dermatitis due to dyes is applied when dyes cause dermatitis, but the mechanism is unclear.

When coding contact dermatitis, the site may be specified:

Eyelid
External ear
Skin and subcutaneous tissue of various body regions
Respiratory stoma site
Fecal or urinary stoma site

Which contact dermatitis ICD codes are billable?

All codes listed above are billable/specific ICD-10-CM codes that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.

Clinical information

Contact dermatitis often presents as itchy, red, and inflamed skin.
The condition may be acute or chronic, depending on the exposure and the individual's sensitivity.
Management involves identifying the triggering agent and avoiding it.
Topical corticosteroids are commonly used to manage symptoms.
Severe cases may require systemic medications or specialized interventions.
Patch testing may help identify specific allergens in allergic contact dermatitis
Conditions related to substances taken internally may require different coding

Synonyms include

Skin irritation due to contact
Allergic contact eczema
NOS contact eczema
Irritant-induced dermatitis
Contact dermatitis unspecified cause
Chemical skin irritation
Dermatitis due to ingested substances
Allergy NOS when referring to skin manifestations
Food unspecified contact dermatitis
Cosmetics irritant contact dermatitis
Detergents irritant contact dermatitis
Dermatitis NOS
Agents unspecified contact dermatitis

Commonly asked questions

Three common signs of contact dermatitis are an itchy rash, redness or inflammation of the skin, and dry, scaly, or blistered skin. These symptoms can develop minutes to hours after contact with an irritant or allergen and may also include swelling, tenderness, or oozing in more severe cases.

First, identify and avoid the triggering substance to get rid of contact dermatitis, then gently clean the affected area with mild soap and lukewarm water. Applying over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream, emollients, or calamine lotion can help relieve itching and inflammation, while oral antihistamines may reduce allergic reactions. Severe or persistent cases may require prescription-strength medications from a healthcare provider, and it's important not to scratch the rash to prevent infection.

Allergic contact dermatitis is triggered when the skin comes into contact with substances that provoke an immune response, such as nickel in jewelry, fragrances, preservatives in cosmetics, latex, certain plants like poison ivy, and some topical medications. Sensitization to these allergens occurs after initial exposure, and subsequent contact leads to an allergic skin reaction.

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