Contact dermatitis and other eczema due to plants [except food]

This code signifies an inflammatory skin reaction, characterized by redness, itching, and sometimes blistering, that results from direct skin contact with allergenic or irritant substances originating from plants, excluding those ingested as food. It represents a delayed-type hypersensitivity or irritant contact dermatitis caused by botanical exposure.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a dermatological condition caused by external contact with plants, such as poison ivy, poison oak, or other allergenic flora. This diagnosis is supported by a history of exposure to specific plants and clinical findings consistent with contact dermatitis.

• Differentiate from allergic contact dermatitis due to other substances (e.g., chemicals, metals) or atopic eczema.
• Ensure the documentation specifies the plant as the causative agent and rules out food-related reactions.
• Consider an additional external cause code (E-code) if the specific plant or circumstances of exposure are known and documented.