ICD-10 Code L57.0 – Actinic keratosis (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L57.0 – Actinic keratosis
What it is
Actinic keratosis is a rough, scaly skin lesion caused by long-term sun exposure. It is a precancerous change, so you code it when the diagnosis is documented.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include small, dry, gritty, or crusted patches on sun-exposed skin such as the face, ears, scalp, or hands. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation.
When to use this code
Use L57.0 when the provider documents actinic keratosis, solar keratosis, or similar terms. Code it for a confirmed lesion seen on exam, biopsy, or specialist assessment. If the note only says “sun damage” without a diagnosis, check documentation.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for skin cancer, benign warts, or other unspecified keratotic lesions unless actinic keratosis is documented. Check documentation if the lesion type is unclear.
Coding tip
Match the code to the exact documented diagnosis, not just the lesion appearance.