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  6. 2026 ICD-10-CM Code L03

2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L03

Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis

ICD-10-CM Code:
L03
ICD-10 Code for:
Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

L03 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity from the list below for a diagnosis of cellulitis and acute lymphangitis. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2026 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis

Non-specific codes like L03 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following billable codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for cellulitis and acute lymphangitis:

  • L03.0 for Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of finger and toe

  • L03.01 for Cellulitis of finger

  • L03.02 for Acute lymphangitis of finger

  • L03.03 for Cellulitis of toe

  • L03.04 for Acute lymphangitis of toe

  • L03.1 for Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of other parts of limb

  • L03.11 for Cellulitis of other parts of limb

  • L03.12 for Acute lymphangitis of other parts of limb

  • L03.2 for Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of face and neck

  • L03.21 for Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of face

  • L03.22 for Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of neck

  • L03.3 for Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of trunk

  • L03.31 for Cellulitis of trunk

  • L03.32 for Acute lymphangitis of trunk

  • L03.8 for Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of other sites

  • L03.81 for Cellulitis of other sites

  • L03.89 for Acute lymphangitis of other sites

  • L03.9 for Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis, unspecified

  • Use L03.90 for Cellulitis, unspecified

  • Use L03.91 for Acute lymphangitis, unspecified

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
    L00–L99
    • Infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
      L00-L08
      • Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis
        L03

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.


Type 2 Excludes

Type 2 Excludes
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
  • cellulitis of anal and rectal region K61
  • cellulitis of external auditory canal H60.1
  • cellulitis of eyelid H00.0
  • cellulitis of female external genital organs N76.4
  • cellulitis of lacrimal apparatus H04.3
  • cellulitis of male external genital organs N48.2 N49
  • cellulitis of mouth K12.2
  • cellulitis of nose J34.0
  • eosinophilic cellulitis Wells L98.3
  • febrile neutrophilic dermatosis Sweet L98.2
  • lymphangitis chronic subacute I89.1

Patient Education


Cellulitis

Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and deep underlying tissues. Group A strep (streptococcal) bacteria are the most common cause. The bacteria enter your body when you get an injury such as a bruise, burn, surgical cut, or wound.

Symptoms include:

  • Fever and chills
  • Swollen glands or lymph nodes
  • A rash with painful, red, tender skin. The skin may blister and scab over.

Your health care provider may take a sample or culture from your skin or do a blood test to identify the bacteria causing infection. Treatment is with antibiotics. They may be oral in mild cases, or intravenous (by IV) for more severe cases.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2026 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2025 through 9/30/2026
  • FY 2025 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2024 through 9/30/2025
  • 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.