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L73.8
ICD-10-CM
Ingrown Hair

Learn about ingrown hair diagnosis, including clinical documentation, ICD-10 codes (L73.9, L73.8, L73), pseudofolliculitis barbae, folliculitis, and treatment options. Find information on proper medical coding for ingrown hair for healthcare professionals and accurate clinical terminology for patient charting. Explore effective management strategies for ingrown hairs and understand related skin conditions.

Also known as

Pseudofolliculitis
Folliculitis

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Curled hair growing back into the skin, causing inflammation.
  • Clinical Signs : Red bumps, pus, pain, itching, sometimes hyperpigmentation.
  • Common Settings : Beard area, legs, bikini area, armpits after shaving or waxing.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC L73.8 Coding
L02

Cutaneous abscess, furuncle, and carbuncle

Infections of the hair follicle, often associated with ingrown hairs.

L73.9

Trichostasis spinulosa

A condition where hair follicles are abnormally shaped, potentially leading to ingrown hairs.

L84

Other disorders of hair

Encompasses various hair disorders, including those that may cause ingrown hairs.

L08.9

Local infection of skin and subcutaneous tissue, unspecified

May be used for infected ingrown hairs when a more specific code doesn't fit.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.

Is the ingrown hair infected?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Curled hair trapped under skin.
Boil: Skin infection around hair follicle.
Folliculitis: Inflamed hair follicles.

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Ingrown hair location, size, inflammation documented
  • Pseudofolliculitis barbae, folliculitis noted if present
  • Associated symptoms: pain, itching, redness, pustules
  • Treatment plan: warm compresses, topical antibiotics if infected
  • ICD-10 code: L73.9 or appropriate code for infected ingrown hair

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Unspecified Site

    Coding ingrown hair without specifying the anatomical location leads to inaccurate data and potential claim rejections. Use specific ICD-10 codes like L60.0 for scalp.

  • Infection Miscoding

    Incorrectly coding infected ingrown hair as simple inflammation can impact reimbursement. Distinguish between L02.41 for cutaneous abscess and L73.89 for other hair follicle disorders.

  • Pseudofolliculitis Barbae

    Miscoding pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) as a simple ingrown hair can lead to underreporting of this specific condition. Correctly use L73.9 for PFB.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Exfoliate regularly to prevent dead skin buildup.
  • Shave in the direction of hair growth to avoid trapping hairs.
  • Avoid tight clothing to reduce friction and irritation.
  • Apply warm compresses to open pores and release trapped hairs.
  • Use topical antibiotics or retinoids as directed by a physician.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Confirm inflamed, raised bump or pustule
  • Verify hair trapped beneath skin surface
  • Rule out infection folliculitis abscess
  • Assess location commonly affected areas
  • Document hair removal practices patient education

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Ingrown Hair: Coding accuracy impacts reimbursement for epilation procedures (CPT 10060, 10061).
  • Miscoded ingrown hair infections can negatively affect hospital quality metrics for infection control.
  • Proper documentation of ingrown hair complications is crucial for accurate ICD-10 coding (L73.2, L02.41) and justified reimbursement.
  • Ingrown hair treatment coding impacts physician performance reporting metrics related to minor surgical procedures.

Streamline Your Medical Coding

Let S10.AI help you select the most accurate ICD-10 codes. Our AI-powered assistant ensures compliance and reduces coding errors.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Code L73.9 for unspecified site
  • Document hair follicle inflammation
  • Consider pseudofolliculitis barbae codes
  • Use L63.0 if pilar cyst noted
  • Check documentation for abscess (L02.x)

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with signs and symptoms consistent with an ingrown hair, clinically diagnosed as pseudofolliculitis barbae.  The affected area, located [Location - e.g., chin, neck, axilla], exhibits [Descriptive features - e.g., erythema, hyperpigmentation, papules, pustules].  Patient reports [Symptoms - e.g., tenderness, pain, itching, burning] at the site.  On examination, a curled or coiled hair is observed beneath the skin surface.  The surrounding skin may be inflamed, indicating folliculitis.  Differential diagnoses considered include bacterial folliculitis, contact dermatitis, and furunculosis.  The diagnosis of ingrown hair is based on visual inspection and patient history.  No laboratory tests were deemed necessary at this time.  Treatment plan includes [Treatment - e.g., warm compresses, topical antibiotics, manual extraction if appropriate].  Patient education provided regarding proper shaving techniques, including the use of sharp razors, shaving in the direction of hair growth, and avoiding close shaves, to prevent recurrence.  Follow-up recommended if symptoms worsen or do not improve within [Timeframe - e.g., one to two weeks].  ICD-10 code L73.9 (Trichiasis) may be considered.  This documentation supports medical necessity for the evaluation and management of this condition.