What L68 covers · when clinicians use it
ICD-10 code L68 identifies Hypertrichosis in the U.S. ICD-10-CM clinical and billing record set. It sits within the Skin & Subcutaneous Tissue chapter (L00–L99), the section that groups related diagnoses so providers, payers, and public-health agencies report them consistently. Clinicians and medical coders apply L68 when an encounter's findings match the Hypertrichosis description, attaching it to the patient record so downstream insurance claims, payer audits, quality reporting, and epidemiological surveillance all reference the same standardized diagnosis. The ICD-10-CM is maintained by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, with an updated official code set released each U.S. fiscal year — always verify L68 against the current CMS/CDC release and your payer's documentation guidance before final use. This page summarizes documentation context for L68 and is a coding reference, not clinical, diagnostic, or billing advice.
L68 refers to Hypertrichosis, a group of dermatologic and cosmetic conditions affecting hair, nails, sebaceous glands, or sweat glands. These disorders vary widely, from common acne to rare hair shaft abnormalities, and require targeted evaluation and care.
Symptoms
- Hair loss – Patchy (L63), patterned (L64), or scarring (L66)
- Nail changes – Discoloration, thickening, or deformities in L60–L62
- Pustules and papules – Common in acne (L70) and rosacea (L71)
- Facial flushing or thickening – Specific to rosacea (L71)
- Visible cysts – Noted in L72 follicular cysts
- Excessive or abnormal sweating – Linked to L74 or L75
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of Hypertrichosis is clinical, often supported by dermoscopy, microscopy, cultures, or biopsy. Trichoscopy and scalp assessment aid hair loss evaluations, while lab testing may identify hormonal or autoimmune contributors.
ICD10 Code Usage
ICD10 code L68 is used by dermatologists, cosmetologists, primary care providers, and endocrinologists for clinical management, documentation, and insurance claims of skin, hair, and nail-related disorders.
Related Codes
- L60 – Nail disorders
- L62 – Nail disorders in diseases classified elsewhere
- L63 – Alopecia areata
- L64 – Androgenic alopecia
- L65 – Other nonscarring hair loss
- L66 – Cicatricial alopecia [scarring hair loss]
- L67 – Hair color and hair shaft abnormalities
- L70 – Acne
- L71 – Rosacea
- L72 – Follicular cysts of skin and subcutaneous tissue
- L73 – Other follicular disorders
- L74 – Eccrine sweat disorders
- L75 – Apocrine sweat disorders
FAQs
Q1: What is ICD10 code L68?
A: It refers to Hypertrichosis, involving cosmetic or clinical abnormalities of the hair, nails, skin glands, or follicles.
Q2: What distinguishes L63–L66 types of hair loss?
A: L63 is autoimmune (alopecia areata), L64 is hormonal (androgenic), L65 is non-scarring, and L66 involves permanent follicle destruction (scarring alopecia).
Q3: Is acne (L70) only for teenagers?
A: No—adult acne is increasingly common, often hormonal or stress-related and may persist into the 30s or beyond.
Q4: What causes hypertrichosis (L68)?
A: It may be genetic, medication-induced, or linked to endocrine or metabolic disorders.
Q5: Who manages these conditions?
A: Dermatologists, trichologists, estheticians, and sometimes endocrinologists or rheumatologists depending on the cause.
Conclusion
ICD10 code L68 enables precise documentation of Hypertrichosis, supporting diagnosis, cosmetic evaluation, and effective treatment planning for disorders affecting the hair, nails, and glandular skin structures.