Burn of first degree of left ear, sequela

This code signifies a healed first-degree burn injury to the left outer ear, excluding the eardrum, where the residual effects or complications of the burn are being addressed. A first-degree burn is characterized by damage to the epidermis only, typically presenting as redness and mild pain without blistering. The "sequela" designation indicates that this code is used for the long-term effects or complications of a past burn, not the initial acute injury.

Use this code when documenting follow-up care for a patient who previously sustained a first-degree burn to their left outer ear and is now presenting with a residual condition directly attributable to that burn. This could include persistent scarring, pigment changes, or other chronic issues. It is appropriate for encounters where the burn itself is no longer acute but its lasting impact is the focus of the visit.

• Always use this code as a secondary diagnosis, following a code that describes the specific sequela (e.g., a scar code).
• Ensure the medical record clearly documents the left ear as the affected site and specifies the burn as first-degree.
• Do not use this code for the initial treatment of an acute burn; use the acute burn codes for that purpose.