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L01.1 ICD-10 – Impetigo Unspecified

L01.1 is an ICD-10 code for impetigo, unspecified. This highly contagious bacterial skin infection commonly affects children, causing itchy blisters and honey-colored crusts.

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Things worth knowing about "L01.1"

L01.1 is an ICD-10 code for impetigo, unspecified. This highly contagious bacterial skin infection commonly affects children, causing itchy blisters and honey-colored crusts.

What does ICD-10 code L01.1 mean?

The ICD-10 code L01.1 stands for impetigo, unspecified. Impetigo is a common, highly contagious bacterial infection of the superficial layers of the skin. It is primarily caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and/or Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A streptococci). The code L01.1 is used when no more specific form of impetigo has been documented or differentiated.

Causes and Risk Factors

Impetigo develops through direct bacterial infection of the skin. Transmission occurs via:

Direct skin contact with an infected person
Shared items such as towels or clothing
Minor skin injuries, insect bites, or cuts that serve as entry points for bacteria

Groups at particular risk include:

Children aged 2 to 6 years
Individuals in close community settings (e.g., daycare centers, schools)
People with weakened immune systems
Patients with pre-existing skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis

Symptoms

Typical signs of impetigo include:

Red, itchy patches, most commonly on the face (around the mouth and nose) or on the limbs
Thin-walled blisters or pustules that rupture easily
Honey-yellow to brownish crusts forming after the blisters break open – the hallmark sign of the condition
Mild swelling of nearby lymph nodes
Fever or general malaise in rare cases

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is usually made clinically, meaning the physician identifies the condition based on its characteristic appearance. In unclear cases or when the infection does not respond to treatment, a swab of the affected skin area may be taken for microbiological analysis to identify the exact pathogen and its antibiotic sensitivity.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the severity of the infection:

Topical Therapy

For mild, localized impetigo, antibiotic creams or ointments are used, for example containing fusidic acid or mupirocin. Gentle, regular cleaning of the affected skin supports healing.

Systemic (Oral) Therapy

In cases of widespread infection, failure of topical treatment, or complications, oral antibiotics are prescribed. Commonly used agents include cephalosporins, amoxicillin/clavulanate, or flucloxacillin.

Hygiene and Infection Control

Because impetigo is highly contagious, hygiene measures are essential: regular handwashing, avoiding sharing personal items, and temporarily keeping infected children away from communal settings until the risk of transmission has passed.

Prognosis

With appropriate treatment, impetigo resolves well, typically within 7 to 10 days. Without treatment, it can spread or, in rare cases, lead to complications such as a deeper skin infection (ecthyma) or post-infectious kidney disease (post-infectious glomerulonephritis).

References

World Health Organization (WHO): ICD-10 International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision, Chapter XII Diseases of the Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue (L00-L99), L01 Impetigo.
Nast A. et al. – Guidelines for the treatment of bacterial skin infections, AWMF Register No. 013-038, German Dermatological Society (DDG), 2021.
Hartman-Adams H. et al. – Impetigo: Diagnosis and Treatment. American Family Physician, 2014; 90(4):229-235.

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