Intentional self-harm by steam, hot vapors and hot objects (X77)

The ICD-10 code X77 covers intentional self-harm caused by steam, hot vapors, hot fluids, hot household appliances, or other hot objects. This category includes specific codes for different types of hot sources such as hot tap water (X77.1) and other hot fluids (X77.2).

These codes allow healthcare providers and coders to document cases where individuals intentionally harm themselves through burns or scalding injuries using hot substances or objects. For example, using X77.8 helps identify self-injury by other hot objects, which includes burns from cigarette use; commonly known as "self injury by cigarette burn." The code X77.9 is used for unspecified hot objects, also referred to as "self-scalding." Each code also distinguishes the stage of treatment with seventh-character extensions indicating initial encounters, subsequent encounters, and sequela; complications or conditions resulting from the injury. This system aids in accurately coding the cause and treatment phase of intentional burn injuries involving hot materials.

  • External causes of morbidity and mortality (V01–Y99)

    • Intentional self-harm (X71-X83)

        • Intentional self-harm by steam, hot vapors and hot objects (X77)

        • X77 Intentional self-harm by steam, hot vapors and hot objects
        • X77.0 Intentional self-harm by steam or hot vapors
        • X77.0XXA Intentional self-harm by steam or hot vapors, initial encounter
        • X77.0XXD Intentional self-harm by steam or hot vapors, subsequent encounter
        • X77.0XXS Intentional self-harm by steam or hot vapors, sequela
        • X77.1 Intentional self-harm by hot tap water
        • X77.1XXA Intentional self-harm by hot tap water, initial encounter
        • X77.1XXD Intentional self-harm by hot tap water, subsequent encounter
        • X77.1XXS Intentional self-harm by hot tap water, sequela
        • X77.2 Intentional self-harm by other hot fluids
        • X77.2XXA Intentional self-harm by other hot fluids, initial encounter
        • X77.2XXD Intentional self-harm by other hot fluids, subsequent encounter
        • X77.2XXS Intentional self-harm by other hot fluids, sequela
        • X77.3 Intentional self-harm by hot household appliances
        • X77.3XXA Intentional self-harm by hot household appliances, initial encounter
        • X77.3XXD Intentional self-harm by hot household appliances, subsequent encounter
        • X77.3XXS Intentional self-harm by hot household appliances, sequela
        • X77.8 Intentional self-harm by other hot objects
        • X77.8XXA Intentional self-harm by other hot objects, initial encounter
        • X77.8XXD Intentional self-harm by other hot objects, subsequent encounter
        • X77.8XXS Intentional self-harm by other hot objects, sequela
        • X77.9 Intentional self-harm by unspecified hot objects
        • X77.9XXA Intentional self-harm by unspecified hot objects, initial encounter
        • X77.9XXD Intentional self-harm by unspecified hot objects, subsequent encounter
        • X77.9XXS Intentional self-harm by unspecified hot objects, sequela

Instructional Notations

7th Character Note

Certain ICD-10-CM categories have applicable 7th characters. The applicable 7th character is required for all codes within the category, or as the notes in the Tabular List instruct. The 7th character must always be the 7th character in the data field. If a code that requires a 7th character is not 6 characters, a placeholder X must be used to fill in the empty characters.

  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category X77

7th Character

Indicates that a seventh character is to be assigned to codes in a subcategory.

  • A - initial encounter
  • D - subsequent encounter
  • S - sequela