Degenerative skin disorders

This code represents a broad category of skin conditions characterized by the progressive deterioration of skin structure and function over time, often associated with aging or chronic exposure. These disorders involve changes in the epidermis, dermis, or subcutaneous tissue, leading to impaired skin integrity, elasticity, and appearance.

Use this code for diagnoses such as elastosis, atrophy of skin, or other unspecified degenerative changes of the skin. Documentation should clearly indicate a chronic, progressive, and non-inflammatory deterioration of the skin, often noted as "senile" or "actinic" in nature.

• Avoid using this code for acute skin conditions or inflammatory dermatoses; these require more specific codes.
• Always look for more specific ICD-9-CM codes if the type of degenerative skin disorder is explicitly documented (e.g., actinic elastosis, striae atrophicae).
• Ensure documentation differentiates between degenerative changes and other skin conditions like dermatitis or infections.