ICD-10 Code L03.3 – Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of trunk (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L03.3 – Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of trunk
What it is
L03.3 identifies an acute bacterial infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue on the trunk, including the chest, abdomen, and back. It also covers acute lymphangitis in that same body area.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include localized redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness, and spreading inflammation over the trunk. If lymphangitis is present, you may see red streaking or tender lymphatic involvement; clinical features vary, refer to documentation.
When to use this code
Use this code when the provider documents cellulitis or acute lymphangitis affecting the trunk and the site is not better specified elsewhere. It fits encounters for abdominal wall, chest wall, or back involvement when the record supports an acute skin infection. If the note only says “cellulitis” without location, check documentation before coding.
Do not use for
Do not use L03.3 for cellulitis of the face, limb, or another specific site. Also avoid it when the documentation describes a different skin disorder or a noninfectious inflammatory process; check documentation.
Coding tip
Capture the exact anatomic site from the provider note, because location determines the correct cellulitis code.