What is the medical term for skin inflammation?

The medical term for skin inflammation is dermatitis. This term encompasses a range of skin conditions that involve inflammation, which can be caused by allergies, irritants, or other underlying health issues. Dermatitis often presents with symptoms such as redness, swelling, and itching, making it a broad category that includes several specific types of skin inflammation.

Eczema is a specific type of dermatitis that typically refers to a chronic condition characterized by dry, itchy skin. While it's often used interchangeably with dermatitis in casual contexts, it is more accurately a subset of dermatitis rather than a synonym for the broader term.

Psoriasis, on the other hand, is a distinct autoimmune condition that leads to the rapid growth of skin cells and forms scales and red patches on the surface of the skin. Though it does involve inflammation, it is classified separately due to its unique characteristics and underlying causes.

Alopecia is unrelated to skin inflammation as it refers specifically to hair loss, which can result from various factors but does not involve the inflammation of the skin itself.

In sum, dermatitis is the correct and inclusive medical term for skin inflammation, as it represents a wide range of inflammatory conditions affecting the skin.