'Craquelé' in French means 'covered with cracks', as seen on the surface of old china. It was first described by the French dermatologist Brocq in 1907. The condition is thought to be the result of excess water loss from the epidermis and a reduction in free fatty acids in the stratum corneum. Shrinkage of cell volume leads to reduction of skin elasticity and the formation of fissures.1
This is a companion discussion topic for the original article at https://patient.info/doctor/dermatology/asteatotic-eczema-eczema-craquele