“Ung” is a medical abbreviation for “ointment,” derived from the Latin word unguentum. You’ll most often see it on handwritten prescriptions or pharmacy labels, where healthcare providers use shorthand to indicate that a medication should be dispensed in ointment form rather than as a cream, lotion, or gel.
Why Prescriptions Use Latin Abbreviations
Medical prescriptions have used Latin shorthand for centuries, and many of these abbreviations persist today. “Ung” is one of the more common ones. If your prescription reads something like “apply ung to affected area,” it simply means to apply the ointment. Other Latin abbreviations you might see alongside it include “bid” (twice daily), “tid” (three times daily), and “prn” (as needed). These abbreviations save space and standardize communication between prescribers and pharmacists, though many healthcare systems are shifting toward plain-language prescriptions to reduce confusion.
What Makes an Ointment Different From a Cream
The distinction between an ointment and a cream isn’t just branding. It comes down to the ratio of oil to water. Ointments typically contain about 80% oil and only 20% water, which makes them thick, greasy, and highly moisturizing. Creams contain roughly equal parts oil and water, giving them a lighter texture that absorbs more quickly. Lotions have an even higher water content than creams, making them the thinnest and least moisturizing of the three.
The United States Pharmacopeia formally defines ointments as semisolid preparations intended for external application to the skin or mucous membranes. They may or may not contain active medication. Even without a drug ingredient, ointments provide moisturizing and protective benefits on their own. The USP recognizes four classes of ointment bases: hydrocarbon (petroleum-based), absorption, water-removable, and water-soluble, each designed for different therapeutic needs.
When Ointments Are the Better Choice
Because of their high oil content, ointments form a barrier on the skin that locks in moisture far more effectively than creams or lotions. This makes them the preferred form for several situations:
- Very dry or cracked skin: Conditions like psoriasis, severely chapped hands, or cracked heels respond well to ointments because they seal moisture into damaged skin.
- Dry, chapped lips: Ointments keep moisture sealed in longer than waxes or lip balms.
- Minor wounds: Applying an ointment under a bandage helps maintain a moist healing environment, which promotes faster wound repair.
- Medicated treatments: Topical antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications often come in ointment form because the thicker base stays on the skin longer, giving the active ingredient more contact time.
The tradeoff is that ointments feel greasy and can stain clothing. Creams are generally preferred for the face and hands during the day because they absorb without leaving a visible residue. Your pharmacist or provider chooses between “ung” and other forms based on where the medication goes, how dry the area is, and how long the drug needs to stay in contact with the skin.
How to Measure and Apply Ointment
One challenge with ointments is knowing how much to use. A practical measuring tool is the fingertip unit, or FTU. One FTU is the amount of ointment squeezed from a standard tube along your index finger, from the tip to the first crease. That single strip weighs roughly 0.4 to 0.5 grams and covers an area about the size of two adult palms (fingers together). This gives you a reliable, repeatable way to apply consistent amounts without over- or under-dosing.
Before applying, make sure the skin is clean and dry. Avoid putting medicated ointments on cuts, scrapes, or burns unless specifically instructed to do so, because broken skin absorbs medication much more rapidly and can increase the risk of side effects. This is especially important for children, who can absorb larger amounts of medication through their skin relative to their body size. Keep ointments away from your eyes, and if you’re applying near the face, take care not to inhale any product.
For medicated ointments, use only the amount and frequency your provider prescribed. More is not better. Applying too much or too often can cause skin irritation or systemic side effects, particularly with steroid-based ointments. If you’re using an ointment purely for moisturizing (no active drug), you have more flexibility with how much and how often you apply it.
Other Abbreviations You Might See
If “ung” appeared on your prescription label and sent you searching, you may encounter other shorthand too. “Cr” or “crm” means cream. “Lot” means lotion. “Gtt” refers to drops (from the Latin guttae), and “tab” means tablet. “Top” indicates the medication is for topical (skin) use. Seeing these alongside “ung” on a prescription simply tells the pharmacist what physical form the medication should take. If any abbreviation on your prescription is unclear, your pharmacist can translate the full set of instructions into plain language.