Allergic contact dermatitis (L23) ICD-10-CM
The L23 code range covers allergic contact dermatitis with 13 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 11 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2026, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
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.
Codes in the L23 Range 13 codes · 11 billable
- L23 Allergic contact dermatitisNon-billable
- L23.0 Allergic contact dermatitis due to metals
- L23.1 Allergic contact dermatitis due to adhesives
- L23.2 Allergic contact dermatitis due to cosmetics
- L23.3 Allergic contact dermatitis due to drugs in contact with skin
- L23.4 Allergic contact dermatitis due to dyes
- L23.5 Allergic contact dermatitis due to other chemical products
- L23.6 Allergic contact dermatitis due to food in contact with the skin
- L23.7 Allergic contact dermatitis due to plants, except food
- L23.8 Allergic contact dermatitis due to other agentsNon-billable
- L23.81 Allergic contact dermatitis due to animal (cat) (dog) dander
- L23.89 Allergic contact dermatitis due to other agents
- L23.9 Allergic contact dermatitis, unspecified cause
About the L23 Code Range
ICD-10 code L23 classifies various types of allergic contact dermatitis, a skin reaction caused by exposure to allergens. This section helps healthcare providers record and specify the exact allergen responsible for the dermatitis, improving diagnosis and treatment.
The codes under L23 distinguish allergic contact dermatitis based on the triggering agent. For example, L23.0 is used for dermatitis caused by metals like nickel or chromium, while L23.1 covers reactions to adhesives. Cosmetics-related dermatitis falls under L23.2, with synonyms such as photoallergic and fragrance-related dermatitis, whereas L23.3 refers to drug-induced allergic reactions on the skin. Other chemicals, dyes, plant allergens excluding food, animal dander, and different specific causes are each separately coded (e.g., L23.4 for dyes, L23.7 for plants). The code L23.9 accounts for cases where the cause is unspecified. Including synonyms like "contact dermatitis caused by nickel" or "photoallergic dermatitis" connects common terms to their precise ICD-10 code, guiding accurate coding of allergic contact dermatitis cases.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the L23 range?
Of the 13 codes in this range, 11 are billable and valid for claim submission from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Category header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the L23 range classify?
The range classifies allergic contact dermatitis. Each code links to its own reference page with billing status, MS-DRG grouping, coding notes, and clinical information.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
