ICD-10 Code for Erythema
Also indexed as (infectional) (inflammation)
The ICD-10-CM code for erythema is L53.9 — Erythematous condition, unspecified. This is the code the Alphabetic Index gives for erythema with no further qualifier, valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
L53.9 is billable but unspecified. If the documentation names a type, site or cause, one of the more specific codes below is likely expected.
Which erythema code should you use?
The Alphabetic Index lists 31 codes under Erythema, erythematous. Which one applies depends on the qualifier documented in the record — the type, site, cause, or associated condition. Find the qualifier below, then verify the code in the Tabular List before using it.
By type
| ab igne | L59.0 | Erythema ab igne [dermatitis ab igne] | |
| annulare | L53.1 | Erythema annulare centrifugum | |
| arthriticum epidemicum | A25.1 | Streptobacillosis | |
| chronic figurate NEC | L53.3 | Other chronic figurate erythema | |
| chronicum migrans | A69.20 | Lyme disease, unspecified | |
| diaper | L22 | Diaper dermatitis | |
| 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 | |
| ichthyosiforme congenitum bullous | Q80.3 | Congenital bullous ichthyosiform erythroderma | |
| in diseases classified elsewhere | L54 | Erythema in diseases classified elsewhere | |
| induratum | L52 | Erythema nodosum | |
| infectiosum | B08.3 | Erythema infectiosum [fifth disease] | |
| intertrigo | L30.4 | Erythema intertrigo | |
| iris | L51.9 | Erythema multiforme, unspecified | |
| marginatum | L53.2 | Erythema marginatum | |
| migrans | A26.0 | Cutaneous erysipeloid | |
| multiforme | L51.9 | Erythema multiforme, unspecified | |
| napkin | L22 | Diaper dermatitis | |
| neonatorum | P83.88 | Other specified conditions of integument specific to newborn | |
| nodosum | L52 | Erythema nodosum | |
| palmar | L53.8 | Other specified erythematous conditions | |
| pernio | T69.1 | Chilblains | not billable |
| rash, newborn | P83.88 | Other specified conditions of integument specific to newborn | |
| scarlatiniform | 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 | |
| tuberculous | A18.4 | Tuberculosis of skin and subcutaneous tissue |
Erythema due to
Erythema induratum
| tuberculous | A18.4 | Tuberculosis of skin and subcutaneous tissue |
Erythema marginatum
| inacute rheumatic fever | I00 | Rheumatic fever without heart involvement |
Erythema multiforme
Erythema neonatorum
| toxic | P83.1 | Neonatal erythema toxicum |
Erythema nodosum
| tuberculous | A18.4 | Tuberculosis of skin and subcutaneous tissue |
Erythema toxic, toxicum NEC
| newborn | P83.1 | Neonatal erythema toxicum |
Index terms and codes are reproduced from the official ICD-10-CM FY2027 release. The Alphabetic Index is a finding aid — a code must always be verified in the Tabular List before it is reported. Data sources