Baldness

Medically known as alopecia.

There are many types of baldness, each with a different cause.

Baldness may be localized to the front and top of the head, as in the very common type of male-pattern baldness; baldness may be patchy, a condition called alopecia areata; or it may involve the entire head, as in alopecia capitis totalis.

The word 'alopecia' comes from the Greek 'alopex' for 'fox.' Foxes are less furry when afflicted with a skin disease called the 'mange' which causes them to lose their hair.

When a fancier word for 'baldness' was sought, the mangy fox supplied it, 'alopecia' or, if you wish, 'fox-mange', not a very positive image to associate with baldness!