Burn of first degree of forehead and cheek, sequela

This code signifies a first-degree burn affecting the forehead and cheek, where the acute injury has healed but residual effects or complications are still being managed. A first-degree burn involves only the epidermis, causing redness and pain without blistering, and typically heals without scarring. The "S" in the seventh character indicates that this is a sequela, meaning a late effect of the initial burn.

Apply this code when documenting follow-up care for a healed first-degree burn to the forehead and cheek, where the patient is presenting for issues directly related to that prior burn. This could include persistent discomfort, skin discoloration, or other long-term effects that are being addressed after the initial acute phase has passed. It is not used for the initial acute burn treatment.

• Always sequence this code after the code(s) describing the specific sequela being treated (e.g., pain, discoloration).
• Ensure the medical record clearly documents the burn as a past event and the current encounter addresses a residual effect.
• Do not use this code for acute burns; refer to the appropriate T20.1- codes for initial encounters.