Irritant contact dermatitis due to other chemical products

This code signifies an inflammatory skin reaction resulting from direct exposure to a chemical substance that causes irritation, but is not an allergic response. The dermatitis is non-immunological and typically occurs at the site of contact, characterized by erythema, edema, vesicles, and pruritus.

Apply this code when documentation specifies irritant contact dermatitis caused by a chemical product not classified elsewhere (e.g., detergents, solvents, acids, alkalis). The physician's notes should clearly identify the chemical as the causative agent and differentiate it from an allergic reaction.

• Always seek documentation specifying "irritant" contact dermatitis to differentiate from allergic contact dermatitis.
• Do not use this code if the chemical is a drug in contact with the skin (refer to T36-T50 with appropriate external cause codes).
• Code first the specific type of contact dermatitis, then use an external cause code (e.g., T51-T65) to identify the specific chemical, if known and documented.