2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L29.9

Pruritus, unspecified

ICD-10-CM Code:
L29.9
ICD-10 Code for:
Pruritus, unspecified
Is Billable?
Yes - Valid for Submission
Chronic Condition Indicator: [1]
Not chronic
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
    (L00–L99)

L29.9 is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of pruritus, unspecified. The code is valid during the current fiscal year for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions from October 01, 2023 through September 30, 2024.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like L29.9 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.

Approximate Synonyms

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

  • Adverse effect from PUVA photochemotherapy
  • Application site itching
  • Application site reaction
  • Cholestatic pruritus
  • Dermatosis of menopause
  • Disorder of skin due to human immunodeficiency virus infection
  • Generalized pruritus
  • Generalized pruritus
  • Generalized pruritus of unknown etiology
  • Hemodialysis-associated pruritus
  • Injection site itching
  • Injection site pruritus
  • Itching
  • Itching of lesion of skin
  • Itching of pigmented skin lesion
  • Itching of skin
  • Multifactorial pruritus
  • Paraneoplastic pruritus
  • Post-herpetic pruritus
  • Postmenopausal pruritus
  • Pruritic disorder
  • Pruritic disorder of skin
  • Pruritus caused by antimalarial
  • Pruritus caused by drug
  • Pruritus caused by drug
  • Pruritus caused by drug
  • Pruritus caused by hydroxyethyl starch
  • Pruritus caused by opioid
  • Pruritus due to human immunodeficiency virus infection
  • Pruritus due to systemic disorder
  • PUVA-induced pruritus
  • Uremic pruritus

Clinical Classification

Clinical Information

  • Pruritus

    an intense itching sensation that produces the urge to rub or scratch the skin to obtain relief.
  • Pruritus Ani

    intense chronic itching in the anal area.
  • Pruritus Vulvae

    intense itching of the external female genitals.
  • Pruritic Disorder

    a skin disorder characterized by an intense itching sensation.

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.
  • Itch NOS

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 L29.9 to ICD-9-CM

  • ICD-9-CM Code: 698.9 - Pruritic disorder NOS

Patient Education


Itching

What is itching?

Itching is an irritating sensation that makes you want to scratch your skin. Sometimes it can feel like pain, but it is different. Often, you feel itchy in one area in your body, but sometimes you may feel itching all over. Along with the itching, you may also have a rash or hives.

What causes itching?

Itching is a symptom of many health conditions. Some common causes are:

  • Allergic reactions to food, insect bites, pollen, and medicines
  • Skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and dry skin
  • Irritating chemicals, cosmetics, and other substances
  • Parasites such as pinworms, scabies, head and body lice
  • Pregnancy
  • Liver, kidney, or thyroid diseases
  • Certain cancers or cancer treatments
  • Diseases that can affect the nervous system, such as diabetes and shingles

What are the treatments for itching?

Most itching is not serious. To feel better, you could try:

  • Applying cold compresses
  • Using moisturizing lotions
  • Taking lukewarm or oatmeal baths
  • Using over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream or antihistamines
  • Avoiding scratching, wearing irritating fabrics, and exposure to high heat and humidity

Contact your health care provider if your itching is severe, does not go away after a few weeks, or does not have an apparent cause. You may need other treatments, such as medicines or light therapy. If you have an underlying disease that is causing the itching, treating that disease may help.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

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.