Acute actinic otitis externa, right ear

This code signifies an acute inflammatory condition of the right outer ear canal caused by excessive exposure to sunlight or other ultraviolet radiation. It presents with symptoms such as redness, swelling, pain, and sometimes blistering or peeling of the skin within the external auditory canal.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of acute otitis externa specifically attributed to actinic (sunlight) exposure affecting the right ear. Supporting documentation should include a history of recent sun exposure and clinical findings consistent with inflammation of the external auditory canal.

• Ensure the documentation specifies "acute" and "actinic" as the etiology.
• Verify laterality; this code is specific to the right ear.
• Differentiate from other forms of otitis externa (e.g., bacterial, fungal) which have different ICD-10-CM codes.