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.

Dermatology Abbreviations and Acronyms Guide

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