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We've compiled a comprehensive list of medical abbreviations and acronyms we hope you find helpful in your practice! We've included both dermatology-specific terms as well as general medical abbreviations organized by category.
How to use this list:
There is no nationally standardized or universally approved list of medical abbreviations in the United States. Each practice or health system typically maintains its own “approved abbreviations” list to promote consistency and reduce errors. It’s best to use this document as a reference or starting point—then decide which abbreviations your team will officially allow in clinical notes, correspondence, and patient materials. When in doubt, always write terms out in full for clarity.
Safety note:
Some abbreviations included here are no longer recommended for clinical use due to safety concerns (for example, “QD” is recommended to be written as “once daily”). They are listed for completeness and educational purposes only. Your practice should follow its own safety policy or accrediting body guidelines (such as those from the Joint Commission) when deciding which abbreviations to permit.
To download (or share) the list, click here.
Dermatologic Conditions
AA – Alopecia Areata
ACD – Allergic Contact Dermatitis
AD – Atopic Dermatitis
AFX – Atypical Fibroxanthoma
AGEP – Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis
AK – Actinic Keratosis
ALM – Acral Lentiginous Melanoma
BCC – Basal Cell Carcinoma
BP – Bullous Pemphigoid
CARP – Confluent and Reticulated Papillomatosis
CCCA – Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia
CTCL – Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma
DF – Dermatofibroma
DLE – Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
DN – Dysplastic Nevus
DRESS - Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms
DSAP – Disseminated Superficial Actinic Porokeratosis
EM – Erythema Multiforme
FFA – Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia
GA – Granuloma Annulare
HS – Hidradenitis Suppurativa
ICD – Irritant Contact Dermatitis
ILVEN – Inflammatory Linear Verrucous Epidermal Nevus
KA – Keratoacanthoma
KP – Keratosis Pilaris
LMM – Lentigo Maligna Melanoma
LP – Lichen Planus
LPP – Lichen Planopilaris
LS – Lichen Sclerosus
LSC – Lichen Simplex Chronicus
MF – Mycosis Fungoides
MIS – Melanoma in situ
NF - Neurofibroma
MM – Malignant Melanoma
NMSC – Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer
PG – Pyoderma Gangrenosum /Pyogenic Granuloma
PLEVA – Pityriasis Lichenoides et Varioliformis Acuta
PRP – Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris
PsA – Psoriatic Arthritis
SCC – Squamous Cell Carcinoma
SCCis – Squamous Cell Carcinoma in situ
SCLE – Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus
SJS – Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
SK – Seborrheic Keratosis
SS – Sézary Syndrome
TEN – Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
Dermatologic Procedures
BBUVB – Broadband Ultraviolet B
Bx – Biopsy
C&S – Culture and Sensitivity
CO2 – Carbon Dioxide
DIF – Direct Immunofluorescence
ED&C – Electrodesiccation and Curettage
Er:YAG – Erbium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet
Excimer – Excimer Laser
I&D – Incision and Drainage
IIF – Indirect Immunofluorescence
IPL – Intense Pulsed Light
KOH – Potassium Hydroxide Prep
LHR – Laser Hair Removal
LN2 – Liquid Nitrogen
MOHS – Mohs Micrographic Surgery
NBUVB – Narrowband Ultraviolet B
Nd:YAG – Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (
PBx – Punch Biopsy
PDL – Pulsed Dye Laser
PDT – Photodynamic Therapy
PUVA – Psoralen + UVA
QS – Q-Switched
ShBx – Shave Biopsy
TCA – Trichloroacetic Acid
UVA – Ultraviolet A
WLE – Wide Local Excision
Treatments & Medications
5-FU – 5-Fluorouracil
Anti-IgE – Immunoglobulin E inhibitor
AZA – Azathioprine
BID – Twice a day
BPO – Benzoyl Peroxide
Cal – Calcipotriene (or Calcipotriol)
cc – Cubic Centimeter (used interchangeably with mL)
cm – Centimeter
CRM – Cream
CsA – Cyclosporine
g – Grams
HCQ – Hydroxychloroquine
IL – Intralesional
IL-12/23i (or anti-IL-12/23) – Interleukin-12 and 23 inhibitor
IL-17i (or anti-IL-17) – Interleukin-17 inhibitor
IL-23i (or anti-IL-23) – Interleukin-23 inhibitor
ILK – Intralesional Kenalog
IM – Intramuscular
IMQ – Imiquimod
ISO – Isotretinoin
IV – Intravenous
IVIG – Intravenous Immunoglobulin
Mab – Monoclonal Antibody (often used as a suffix or general term)
mcg – Microgram
MCN – Minocycline
mg – Milligram
mL – Milliliter
mm – Millimeter
MMF – Mycophenolate Mofetil
MTX – Methotrexate
nm – Nanometers (re: wavelengths of UV light)
OTC – Over the Counter
PCN – Penicillin
PO – By mouth
PRN – As needed
QAM – Every morning
QD – Once daily
QHS – Every night at bedtime
QID – Four times a day
QOD – Every other day
SA – Salicylic Acid
Sol – Solution
SPF – Sun protection factor
SQ – Subcutaneous
TAC – Triamcinolone Acetonide
TCS – Topical Corticosteroid
TID – Three times a day
TNFi (or anti-TNF) – Tumor Necrosis Factor inhibitor
TOP – Topical
Tret – Tretinoin
UNG – Ointment
Documentation & Exam Shorthand
A&P – Assessment and Plan
AD – Auris Dexter (Right Ear)
AS – Auris Sinister (Left Ear)
AU – Auris Uterque (Both Ears)
B/L – Bilateral
C/D/I – Clean, Dry, Intact
c/o – Complains of (or “complaining of”)
c/w – Consistent With
CC – Chief Complaint
DDx – Differential Diagnosis
Dx – Diagnosis
F/U – Follow-Up
FH – Family History
FSE – Full Skin Exam
HPI– History of Present Illness
Hx – History
MGF – Maternal Grandfather
MGM – Maternal Grandmother
NKA – No Known Allergies
NKDA – No Known Drug Allergies
OD – Oculus Dexter (Right Eye)
OS – Oculus Sinister (Left Eye)
OU – Oculus Uterque (Both Eyes)
OV – Office Visit
PCP – Primary Care Provider
PE – Physical Exam
PGF – Paternal Grandfather
PGM – Paternal Grandmother
PMH – Past Medical History
Pt – Patient
ROS – Review of Systems
RTC – Return to Clinic
Rx – Prescription
s/p – Status Post
S/S – Signs and Symptoms
SH – Social History
TBSA – Total Body Surface Area
TBSE – Total Body Skin Exam
Tx – Treatment
w/ – With
W/O – Without
WNL – Within Normal Limits
General Medical Abbreviations
AIDS – Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
ASA – Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin)
BMI – Body Mass Index
BP – Blood Pressure
CAD – Coronary Artery Disease
CBC – Complete Blood Count
CHF – Congestive Heart Failure
CKD – Chronic Kidney Disease
CMP – Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
CT – Computed Tomography
CXR – Chest X-Ray
DM – Diabetes Mellitus
HIV – Human Immunodeficiency Virus
HLD – Hyperlipidemia
HPV – Human Papillomavirus
HR – Heart Rate
HSV – Herpes Simplex Virus
HTN – Hypertension
IBD – Inflammatory Bowel Disease
LFT – Liver Function Tests
MRI – Magnetic Resonance Imaging
MRSA – Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
NSAIDS – Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
PPD – Purified Protein Derivative
RA – Rheumatoid Arthritis
RR – Respiratory Rate
SLE – Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
SOB – Shortness of Breath
T – Temperature (alternatively “Temp”)
TB – Tuberculosis
US – Ultrasound
VV – Verruca Vulgaris
VZV – Varicella Zoster Virus
Billing, Coding & Administration
ABN – Advance Beneficiary Notice
AMA – American Medical Association
CMS – Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
COB – Coordination of Benefits
CPT – Current Procedural Terminology
DME – Durable Medical Equipment
DOS – Date of Service
E/M (or E&M) – Evaluation and Management
EOB – Explanation of Benefits
HCPCS – Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System
HIPAA – Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
ICD-10-CM – International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification
NPI – National Provider Identifier