Cellulitis
Also known as: Bacterial cellulitis or lymphangitis due to unspecified bacterium
General information only. Anpheros does not diagnose and does not recommend treatment. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist about your situation. In an emergency, call 112 (or your local emergency number).
In short
Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and deep underlying tissues, which is most commonly caused by Group A streptococcal bacteria. The bacteria enter the body when there is an injury such as a bruise, burn, surgical cut, or wound. Symptoms of this infection include fever, chills, swollen glands or lymph nodes, and a rash with painful, red, tender skin that may blister and scab over. A healthcare provider may take a skin sample or do a blood test to identify the bacteria, and treatment is with oral or intravenous antibiotics.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
AI-generated summary of the sources cited on this page, checked automatically against them. Not reviewed by a clinician; not medical advice.
Codes
Description
Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and deep underlying tissues. Group A strep (streptococcal) bacteria are the most common cause. The bacteria enter your body when you get an injury such as a bruise, burn, surgical cut, or wound.
Symptoms include:
- Fever and chills
- Swollen glands or lymph nodes
- A rash with painful, red, tender skin. The skin may blister and scab over.
Your health care provider may take a sample or culture from your skin or do a blood test to identify the bacteria causing infection. Treatment is with antibiotics. They may be oral in mild cases, or intravenous (by IV) for more severe cases.
Next to it in ICD-10
- K90Intestinal malabsorption (including coeliac disease)
- L00Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome
- L01Impetigo
- L04Acute lymphadenitis
- L05Tailbone Disorders
- L08Other local skin infections
Neighbouring codes in the classification, not a medical link.
External resources
Questions
What is the ICD-10 code for Cellulitis?
L03 (WHO, International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision).
What is the ICD-11 code for Cellulitis?
1B70.Z: Bacterial cellulitis or lymphangitis due to unspecified bacterium (WHO, ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics).
Sources and attribution
- ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics, © World Health Organization, licensed under CC BY-ND 3.0 IGO.
- Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- Names other than the official source titles: Anpheros translations and plain-language names, made with AI assistance and checked automatically; the source names are in English.
- ICD-10 codes and titles © World Health Organization. Source: WHO, International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (2019).
Anpheros Search catalog 2026.10.5, published 17 October 2026. About the data →
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