chapping

Last edited 05/2022

  • Occurs in situations where there is a combination of water loss and cooling.
  • There is a tendency for the skin to break rather than flex.
  • Initially there is dryness of the 'chapped' skin with shedding of the horny material into the crevices.
  • In severely 'chapped' skin there may be fissuring, oedema, erythema, crusting and bleeding.
  • Commonly occurs on the face and lips – may occur on any exposed parts such as the dorsum of hands and the neck.