Other contact with steam and other hot vapors, sequela

This code indicates a long-term complication or late effect resulting from an injury caused by contact with steam or other hot vapors, excluding those from hot tap water. These sequelae can manifest as chronic pain, scarring, contractures, or functional limitations that persist after the initial acute injury has healed.

Apply this code when documenting a condition that is a direct consequence of a past exposure to steam or hot vapors, and the acute phase of the original injury is no longer being treated. Examples include a patient presenting with a keloid scar years after a steam burn, or chronic nerve pain attributed to a previous industrial steam accident.

• Always sequence this sequela code after the code for the specific nature of the sequela (e.g., scar, pain, contracture).
• Ensure the medical record clearly links the current condition to a past injury involving steam or hot vapors.
• Do not use this code for acute injuries; it is exclusively for late effects.