Version 2024
No Valid Principal Dx

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R23.1

Pallor

ICD-10-CM Code:
R23.1
ICD-10 Code for:
Pallor
Is Billable?
Yes - Valid for Submission
Chronic Condition Indicator: [1]
Not chronic
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
    (R00–R99)
    • Symptoms and signs involving the skin and subcutaneous tissue
      (R20-R23)
      • Other skin changes
        (R23)

R23.1 is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of pallor. The code is valid during the current fiscal year for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions from October 01, 2023 through September 30, 2024.

According to ICD-10-CM guidelines this code should not to be used as a principal diagnosis code when a related definitive diagnosis has been established.

Approximate Synonyms

The following clinical terms are approximate synonyms or lay terms that might be used to identify the correct diagnosis code:

  • Blanching of skin
  • Blanching of skin of lower leg on elevation
  • Clammy skin
  • Cocaine-induced acrocyanosis and livedo reticularis
  • Cold and clammy skin
  • Cold skin
  • Complexion finding
  • Congenital livedo reticularis
  • Decreased skin temperature
  • Facial dysmorphism, immunodeficiency, livedo, short stature syndrome
  • Finding of color of limb
  • Idiopathic livedo reticularis
  • Idiopathic livedo reticularis with summer ulceration
  • Idiopathic livedo reticularis with systemic involvement
  • Idiopathic livedo reticularis with winter ulceration
  • Livedo
  • Livedo reticularis
  • Livedo reticularis
  • Livedo reticularis
  • Livedo reticularis without ulceration
  • Lividity
  • Moist skin
  • Pale complexion
  • Pale discoloration of entire skin of body
  • Pale face
  • Skin lesion in drug addict
  • Sneddon syndrome
  • White extremities

Clinical Classification

Clinical Information

  • Pallor

    a clinical manifestation consisting of an unnatural paleness of the skin.
  • Livedo Reticularis

    a condition characterized by a reticular or fishnet pattern on the skin of lower extremities and other parts of the body. this red and blue pattern is due to deoxygenated blood in unstable dermal blood vessels. the condition is intensified by cold exposure and relieved by rewarming.
  • Livedoid Vasculopathy

    a rare cutaneous thrombotic disease due to occlusion of dermal vessels. it is characterized by purpuric maculae and ulcerations especially during summer which form scars called atrophie blanche. it is more associated with other syndromes (e.g., protein c deficiency; hyperhomocysteinemia). livedo reticularis with systemic involvement and stroke is sneddon syndrome.
  • Sneddon Syndrome

    a systemic non-inflammatory arteriopathy primarily of middle-aged females characterized by the association of livedo reticularis, multiple thrombotic cerebral infarction; coronary disease, and hypertension. elevation of antiphospholipid antibody titers (see also antiphospholipid syndrome), cardiac valvulopathy, ischemic attack, transient; seizures; dementia; and chronic ischemia of the extremities may also occur. pathologic examination of affected arteries reveals non-inflammatory adventitial fibrosis, thrombosis, and changes in the media. (from jablonski, dictionary of syndromes & eponymic diseases, 2d ed; adams et al., principles of neurology, 6th ed, p861; arch neurol 1997 jan;54(1):53-60)
  • Livedo Reticularis

    a recurrent purple discoloration of the skin that does not blanche and is found in a lacy, network pattern, most often in the lower extremities. it may be aggravated by exposure to cold and is classified as idiopathic or secondary. secondary livedo reticularis may be a cutaneous manifestation of immune system disorders (e.g., lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, cryoglobulinemia, lymphoma, etc), and hematologic disorders (polycythemia vera).

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Inclusion Terms

Inclusion Terms
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
  • Clammy skin

Index to Diseases and Injuries References

The following annotation back-references for this diagnosis code are found in the injuries and diseases index. The Index to Diseases and Injuries is an alphabetical listing of medical terms, with each term mapped to one or more ICD-10-CM code(s).

Convert R23.1 to ICD-9-CM

  • ICD-9-CM Code: 782.61 - Pallor

Patient Education


Skin Conditions

What does your skin do?

Your skin is your body's largest organ. It covers the entire outside of your body. There are many ways that your skin protects your body and helps keep you healthy. For example, it:

  • Holds body fluids in, which helps prevent you from getting dehydrated
  • Keeps out harmful germs, which helps prevent infections
  • Helps you feel things like heat, cold, and pain
  • Helps control your body temperature
  • Makes vitamin D when the sun shines on it
  • Shields your body against heat and light

What problems and conditions can affect your skin?

There are many different problems and conditions which can affect your skin. Some of them can cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as itching, burning, redness, and rashes. They might also affect your appearance. Some of the more common skin conditions include:

  • Acne, which causes pimples when hair follicles under your skin get clogged up
  • Burns
  • Cuts and scrapes
  • Dandruff, flaking of the skin on your scalp (the top of your head)
  • Eczema (atopic dermatitis), which causes inflammation, redness, and irritation of the skin
  • Hives, which are red and sometimes itchy bumps on your skin
  • Insect bites
  • Psoriasis, which causes itchy, scaly red patches
  • Skin cancer
  • Skin infections

How can I keep my skin healthy?

Since your skin protects your body in many ways, it's important to try to keep your skin healthy. For example, you can:

  • Wear the right protective equipment, like gloves, long sleeves, knee and elbow pads, or helmets to protect against cuts, bumps and scrapes.
  • If you do get a cut or scrape, clean it right away with soap and warm water. Put on a bandage to protect it while it heals.
  • When you are spending time outdoors, wear long sleeves and pants and use insect repellant to prevent insect bites.
  • Prevent sunburn by covering up and using sunscreen when outdoors.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water.
  • When you take a shower or bath, use warm (not hot) water. Use mild cleansers and wash gently (don't scrub).
  • Use moisturizers, like lotions, creams, or ointments, to prevent dry skin.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases


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Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.