Understand Drug Rash (Drug Eruption), a medication-induced skin reaction. Learn about diagnosis, clinical documentation, and medical coding for Drug Rash including ICD-10 codes and SNOMED CT terminology. Find information for healthcare professionals on managing and treating adverse drug reactions presenting as skin eruptions. This resource helps with accurate diagnosis coding and optimized clinical documentation of Drug Rash in medical records.
Also known as
Allergic drug reaction
Skin reactions due to drug allergies.
Drug eruption, NEC
Other drug-induced skin eruptions not elsewhere classified.
Adverse effect of drug
Adverse effects caused by unspecified drugs and medicaments.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the drug rash further specified?
Yes
Is it Exfoliative dermatitis?
No
Code L27.9: Drug eruption, unspecified
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Skin reaction from medication exposure. |
| Itchy, raised welts, often from allergies. |
| Red, itchy, dry skin. Can be chronic. |
Lack of documentation specifying the causative drug leads to coding errors and inaccurate severity reflection.
Documentation of rash characteristics may not align with coded severity, impacting reimbursement and quality metrics (e.g., SJS/TEN).
Misdiagnosis as a drug allergy instead of a drug rash can lead to inappropriate allergy documentation and future medication restrictions.
Q: What are the most common drug classes implicated in exanthematous drug eruptions and how can I differentiate them clinically?
A: Exanthematous drug eruptions, often presenting as widespread morbilliform rashes, are frequently associated with antibiotics (especially penicillins, cephalosporins, and sulfonamides), anticonvulsants (like carbamazepine, phenytoin, and lamotrigine), and allopurinol. While clinical presentation can be similar, some clues may help differentiate the causative agent. For example, penicillin-induced rashes often appear within 7-10 days of initiation, whereas allopurinol-induced reactions might develop later and involve mucosal membranes. Careful review of the patient's medication history, onset timing, and associated symptoms (e.g., fever, eosinophilia) is crucial. Explore how drug-specific characteristics can inform your diagnostic approach in our detailed guide on drug eruption identification.
Q: How do I differentiate a drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) from a simple maculopapular drug eruption, and what are the essential initial management steps?
A: Differentiating DRESS from a simpler drug eruption requires careful clinical evaluation. DRESS, also known as drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS), typically presents with a more prominent fever, lymphadenopathy, facial edema, and internal organ involvement (e.g., hepatitis, nephritis) compared to a simple maculopapular rash. Notably, DRESS often has a delayed onset, appearing 2-8 weeks after drug initiation, and is characterized by significant eosinophilia. Key initial management steps include immediate discontinuation of the suspected drug, supportive care with antipyretics and antipruritics, and close monitoring for organ dysfunction. In severe cases, systemic corticosteroids are indicated. Consider implementing a standardized protocol for evaluating and managing suspected DRESS cases in your practice. Learn more about the diagnostic criteria and long-term management of DRESS in our comprehensive clinical resource.
Patient presents with a suspected drug rash, also known as a drug eruption or medication-induced rash. Onset of the rash was noted (date of onset) following the recent initiation of (medication name and dosage). The morphology of the rash is described as (e.g., maculopapular, morbilliform, urticarial, vesicular, pustular, exfoliative) and located on (body areas affected). Associated symptoms include (e.g., pruritus, burning, fever, malaise, lymphadenopathy). The patient denies any other recent changes in medications, over-the-counter drugs, or herbal supplements. Differential diagnoses considered include viral exanthem, allergic contact dermatitis, and eczema. Based on the clinical presentation and temporal relationship with the medication, a diagnosis of drug rash is favored. The causative medication, (medication name), has been discontinued and replaced with (alternative medication if applicable). The patient has been advised on symptomatic management with (e.g., topical corticosteroids, oral antihistamines, cool compresses). Patient education provided regarding drug reactions, including the importance of medication reconciliation and future avoidance of the implicated drug. Follow-up scheduled in (duration) to monitor resolution of the rash and assess for any further complications. ICD-10 code L27.0 (Allergic drug eruption, unspecified) is considered, pending confirmation and further evaluation. This assessment is consistent with current clinical practice guidelines for drug rash management.