ICD-10 Code for Athlete's Foot
The ICD-10 code for athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is B35.3.
Code Specification
- B35.3 is the specific diagnostic code for tinea pedis in the ICD-10-CM classification system 1, 2
- This code falls under the broader category of dermatophytosis (B35), which encompasses all superficial fungal infections caused by dermatophytes 1, 2
Clinical Context for Coding
When documenting tinea pedis for coding purposes, clinicians should note:
- Causative organisms are predominantly Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes (formerly T. interdigitale), with Epidermophyton floccosum causing a minority of cases 2, 3, 4
- Clinical presentation may be interdigital (most common), hyperkeratotic (moccasin-type), or vesiculobullous (inflammatory), though the ICD-10 code B35.3 applies to all forms 4
- Confirmation ideally includes KOH wet-mount examination or fungal culture of skin scrapings from the active border of lesions, though clinical diagnosis alone may warrant coding 4, 5
Documentation Considerations
For accurate coding and reimbursement:
- Document the anatomic location (interdigital spaces, plantar surface, or both) 1, 5
- Note any complications such as secondary bacterial infection (dermatophytosis complex), which may require additional coding 6
- Record concomitant conditions like onychomycosis (B35.1), which is present in up to one-third of tinea pedis cases and may affect treatment decisions 7, 3
- In diabetic patients, document the increased risk (nearly three-fold) and potential for complications, as this may justify more aggressive treatment coding 3