What is another term for baldness?

Alopecia is the medical term used to describe baldness, referring to hair loss from the scalp or other areas of the body. It can occur in various forms, including alopecia areata, where patches of hair loss are present, or androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as male or female pattern baldness, which is a genetic predisposition to hair loss. Understanding this term is important for medical assistants as it allows for effective communication and documentation regarding patients experiencing hair loss issues.

The other terms listed pertain to different medical conditions. Dermatitis refers to inflammation of the skin, edema involves swelling caused by fluid accumulation, and psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition characterized by rapid skin cell proliferation leading to scaling and inflammation. While these conditions are significant within the field of dermatology, they do not relate to the concept of baldness like alopecia does.