Healthcare Insights
What are the most common diagnoses by dermatologists?
Dermatologists diagnose and manage a wide spectrum of conditions, from common inflammatory disorders and infections to autoimmune diseases and skin cancers. Understanding the most common diagnoses made by dermatologists offers a window into disease prevalence, prescribing behavior, emerging health trends, and more. Beyond clinical insights, diagnosis data can also help providers, consultants, investors, and other organizations better understand their place in the healthcare market and where opportunities for growth exist.
Using the Definitive Healthcare Atlas All-Payor Claims dataset, we’ve listed the most common diagnoses made by dermatologists throughout 2025. Definitive Healthcare defines a dermatologist as a physician with either a self-reported specialty or a claims-based primary specialty of dermatology.
| Rank | ICD-10 code | Description | % of total diagnoses made by dermatologists | Explore dataset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L821 | Other seborrheic keratosis | 6.8% | Explore |
| 2 | L570 | Actinic keratosis | 5.8% | Explore |
| 3 | L814 | Other melanin hyperpigmentation | 5.1% | Explore |
| 4 | D485 | Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of skin | 4.4% | Explore |
| 5 | D225 | Melanocytic nevi of trunk | 3.6% | Explore |
| 6 | L578 | Other skin changes due to chronic exposure to nonionizing radiation | 3.5% | Explore |
| 7 | L700 | Acne vulgaris | 3.3% | Explore |
| 8 | Z85828 | Personal history of other malignant neoplasm of skin | 2.8% | Explore |
| 9 | L820 | Inflamed seborrheic keratosis | 2.6% | Explore |
| 10 | D1801 | Hemangioma of skin and subcutaneous tissue | 2.0% | Explore |
| 11 | D229 | Melanocytic nevi, unspecified | 1.8% | Explore |
| 12 | Z1283 | Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of skin | 1.5% | Explore |
| 13 | L853 | Xerosis cutis | 1.4% | Explore |
| 14 | Z08 | Encounter for follow-up examination after completed treatment for malignant neoplasm | 1.2% | Explore |
| 15 | Z79899 | Other long term (current) drug therapy | 1.2% | Explore |
| 16 | L538 | Other specified erythematous conditions | 1.1% | Explore |
| 17 | L905 | Scar conditions and fibrosis of skin | 1.1% | Explore |
| 18 | L309 | Dermatitis, unspecified | 1.1% | Explore |
| 19 | L2089 | Other atopic dermatitis | 1.1% | Explore |
| 20 | Z7189 | Other specified counseling | 1.1% | Explore |
Fig. 1. Data is from the Definitive Healthcare Atlas All-Payor Claims dataset and represents the percentages of total dermatology diagnoses made in calendar year 2025. Data accessed February 2026.
What is the most common dermatologic diagnosis?
The most common dermatologic diagnosis of 2025 was other seborrheic keratosis (ICD-10 code L821), accounting for 6.8% of diagnoses tracked in our database. It is a common, benign skin growth often associated with aging and, according to the Mayo Clinic, usually appears on the face, neck, chest or back.
In second place on our list is actinic keratosis (L570), which accounted for 5.8% of diagnoses. It is a precancerous skin condition linked to sun exposure and may cause rough, scaly spots across a patient’s body. The Cleveland Clinic considers actinic keratosis to be the most common type of skin precancer.
The third-most diagnosed condition on our list was other melanin hyperpigmentation (L814), with 5.1% of total diagnoses in 2025. Hyperpigmentation refers to patches of skin that darken in comparison to its natural color, and it is not harmful to a person’s health.
Why diagnosis data matters to commercial strategy professionals
Data on the most common dermatological diagnoses provides insight into where clinical demand potentially exists.
For commercial strategy teams, diagnosis data helps them build better audience segments. Understanding which conditions are most prevalent and where they are concentrated (geographically or by provider type, for example), can lead to more precise targeting, more efficient territory design, messaging that resonates, and more.
What are the differences between medical and cosmetic dermatology?
Broadly speaking, medical dermatology diagnoses are disease-based and medically necessary, while cosmetic dermatology focuses on elective, appearance-driven concerns. Where the goal of medical dermatology is to help a patient manage or cure a skin condition and improve their overall health, the goal of cosmetic dermatology is generally to help a patient improve their appearance, look younger, and have smoother skin.
Because most cosmetic dermatology procedures are elective and non-essential for health, they are usually not covered by insurance.
Learn more
Access more market-level intelligence on dermatologists and other physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals by getting started with PhysicianView.
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