Find information on seborrheic dermatitis diagnosis, including clinical documentation, medical coding, ICD-10 codes (L21), SNOMED CT codes, and differential diagnosis. Learn about the signs, symptoms, and treatment of seborrheic eczema, including cradle cap in infants and dandruff in adults. This resource provides guidance for healthcare professionals on proper terminology and coding for seborrheic dermatitis in medical records.
Also known as
Seborrheic dermatitis
Chronic inflammatory skin condition causing scaly patches and redness.
Dermatitis and eczema
Inflammatory skin conditions characterized by itching, redness, and various lesions.
Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
Encompasses a wide range of skin disorders, including infections, inflammations, and tumors.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the diagnosis Seborrheic Dermatitis?
Yes
Is there Cradle Cap (infant)?
No
Do NOT code as Seborrheic Dermatitis. Review clinical documentation for alternative diagnosis.
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Scaly patches, oily areas |
| Dry, itchy, inflamed skin |
| Silvery scales, plaques |
Coding seborrheic dermatitis without specifying the affected body area (e.g., scalp, face) leads to inaccurate coding and reimbursement.
Miscoding infant seborrheic dermatitis (cradle cap) with adult codes or vice versa can impact quality metrics and reimbursement.
Lack of documentation specifying the severity (mild, moderate, severe) of seborrheic dermatitis can impact medical necessity reviews.
Patient presents with complaints consistent with seborrheic dermatitis. Symptoms include erythematous plaques and scaling, primarily affecting the scalp, eyebrows, nasolabial folds, and postauricular areas. The patient reports pruritus, which varies in intensity. On examination, greasy, yellowish scales are observed on an erythematous base. The affected skin appears inflamed, and mild dandruff is noted on the scalp. No evidence of secondary bacterial infection is present. Differential diagnoses considered included psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and tinea capitis. Based on the clinical presentation and distribution of lesions, a diagnosis of seborrheic dermatitis is made. Treatment plan includes topical antifungal ketoconazole shampoo twice weekly for two weeks, followed by maintenance therapy as needed. Patient education provided on proper shampooing technique, trigger avoidance, and the importance of follow-up. The patient was advised to avoid harsh soaps and fragrances and to use gentle, non-comedogenic moisturizers. Follow-up appointment scheduled in four weeks to assess treatment response and adjust the plan as necessary. ICD-10 code L21.0, seborrheic dermatitis, is assigned.