What is another term for baldness?

Alopecia is the medical term used to describe baldness or hair loss. It encompasses various forms of hair loss, including complete baldness, thinning hair, and patchy loss. The term is derived from the Greek word "alopex," which means "fox," as it was previously believed that foxes shed their fur in patches, similar to how some people experience hair loss.

Understanding this terminology is essential in medical contexts, especially when discussing dermatological conditions or for providing accurate information in a healthcare setting. Other options pertain to different conditions: dermatitis refers to inflammation of the skin, edema refers to swelling caused by fluid retention, and psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition characterized by red, scaly patches on the skin. Each of these terms describes specific issues that are unrelated to baldness.