What is the medical term for baldness?

The medical term for baldness is alopecia. This term encompasses various types of hair loss, which can be caused by a range of factors including genetics, hormonal changes, medical conditions, or certain medications. Alopecia can manifest in different forms, such as androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as male or female pattern baldness, and alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that causes sudden hair loss in patches. Understanding alopecia is crucial in both clinical and personal contexts, as it helps in diagnosing the condition and discussing management options with patients.

The other terms listed refer to different conditions. Dermatillomania is a mental health condition characterized by the compulsive picking of skin, often leading to noticeable skin damage, but it does not pertain to hair loss. Hypotrichosis refers to a condition with less than the normal amount of hair on the body, which signifies underdevelopment of hair follicles rather than complete baldness. Hypertrichosis indicates excessive body hair growth, further showing that each term has a specific meaning distinct from alopecia.