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'''Windburn''' is a condition whereby a [[sunburn]] obtained in cool or cloudy conditions is incorrectly attributed to the effects of the [[wind]] rather than the [[sun]], mostly in North America.<ref name=cca-10myths>{{cite web|title=10 myths about sun protection|url=https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/causes-and-prevention/sun-safety/10-myths-about-sun-protection|work=Official [[SunSmart]] website|publisher=[[Cancer Council Australia]]|accessdate=18 August 2013|quote=You can get burnt on windy, cloudy and cool days. Sunburn is caused by UV radiation, which is not related to temperature – a cooler or windy day in summer will have a similar UV index to a warmer day. If it's windy and you get a red face, it's likely to be sunburn. There's no such thing as 'windburn'. You can also get sunburnt on cloudy days, as UV radiation can penetrate some clouds, and may even be more intense due to reflection off the bottom of the clouds.}}</ref><ref name=gwa-sunsafe>{{cite web|title=Sun safety in the workplace|url=http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/worksafe/content/safety_topics/Diseases_and_health/More_information/Sun_smart_at_the_workplace.html|work=Department of Commerce official website|publisher=[[Government of Western Australia]]|accessdate=18 August 2013|date=7 October 2009|quote=The wind may dry the skin but does not burn it. What is commonly described as windburn is most likely sunburn.}}</ref><ref name=metnz-myth>{{cite web|last=Beckman|first=Wayde|title=Myth-busting Windburn|url=http://blog.metservice.com/2011/02/myth-busting-windburn/|work=MetService Blog|publisher=[[Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited]]|accessdate=18 August 2013|date=8 February 2011|quote='I got windburnt today.' 'My lips feel windburnt.' It's something we hear from time to time... But what is windburn? And can the wind really burn our skin?... Double-checking with a dermatologist confirms that the term windburn is a misnomer. And that red, sore, dry skin or lips is actually sunburn caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation.}}</ref><ref name=tv3nz-windburn>{{cite web|last=Hall|first=Mike|title='Windburn' myth highlights need for sun safety message|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Windburn-myth-highlights-need-for-sun-safety-message/tabid/1807/articleID/271250/Default.aspx|work=[[TV3 (New Zealand)]] official site|publisher=[[MediaWorks New Zealand]]|accessdate=18 August 2013|date=2 October 2012|quote='Windburn is a misnomer,' says dermatologist Todd Gunson. '... the redness and the tenderness that results from a day out in the sun is almost always due to sunburn.'}}</ref> The main reason is that in cool or cloudy conditions many people are unaware that they are still vulnerable to the burning effects of the sun's UV radiation, so fail to take precautionary sun protection measures.<ref name=cca-10myths /><ref name=tv3nz-windburn /> |
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'''Windburn''' is a skin condition where [[wind]] removes the top layer of oil from the [[skin]]. Although colloqially named 'wind'''burn'''', the condition is caused through the lack of oil causing excessive dryness of the skin, leading to redness and a soreness as well as an itchy feeling in some cases. Redness and soreness are also common symptoms of a [[sunburn]], so the two conditions are often mistaken for each other. |
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The fact that windburn was really misattributed sunburn, rather than a distinct condition, was shown as early as 1936 by English skin specialist Charles Howard White of [[Cambridge]] and American physicist William Henry Crew of [[New York University]].<ref name=Crew&White>{{cite web|title=Medicine: Windburn to Sunburn|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,848654,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080228142520/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,848654,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 28, 2008|work=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|publisher=[[Time Inc.]]|accessdate=18 August 2013|date=12 October 1936|quote=...was the first demonstration that 'windburn' is really sunburn}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Crew |first1=W. H. |last2=Whittle |first2=C. H. |title=Sunburn and Windburn |journal=Science |volume=84 |issue=2179 |pages=309-310 |doi=10.1126/science.84.2179.309 |url=https://doi.org/10.1126/science.84.2179.309 |date=2 October 1936 |access-date=14 June 2022}}</ref> Nonetheless, the accepted existence of windburn remains a widely held misconception.<ref name=cca-10myths /><ref name=metnz-myth /><ref name=dict-windburn>{{cite web|title=Windburn|url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/windburn|work=[[Dictionary.com]]|publisher=[[IAC (company)|IAC]]|accessdate=18 August 2013|quote=an inflammation of the skin...caused by overexposure to the wind. }}</ref><ref name=wisegeek-windburn>{{cite web|title=What is Windburn?|url=http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-windburn.htm|work=WiseGeek official website|publisher=Conjecture Corporation|accessdate=18 August 2013|quote=Windburn is a condition caused by exposure to strong and frequently cold winds for extended periods of time.}}</ref><ref name=popsugar>{{cite web|last=Sugar|first=Je9nny|title=Prevent and Treat Windburn|url=http://www.fitsugar.com/How-Prevent-Treat-Windburn-955808|work=PopSugar Fitness official website|publisher=[[PopSugar|PopSugar Inc]]|accessdate=18 August 2013|date=15 January 2008|quote=If you like to venture out in the cold weather, you want to protect your skin from windburn. No it's not a Winter sunburn because it's not caused by the sun's harmful rays...it's actually caused by a combination of cold temp0eratures and low humidity.}}</ref> |
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Pure windburn is usually not protected against by sunscreen effectively, since wind exposure will chap the skin even without the sun exposure. However, the moisturization agent in sunscreens does help windburns, and windburn does not seem to have the long term damage effect of the sun. |
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==Prevention and treatment== |
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==Common cause== |
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The [[sunburn#Treatment|treatment]] of windburn is the same as for sunburn. Prevention measures involve wearing protective clothing, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and seeking shade.<ref name=cca-10myths /> |
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On cold days, people will often confuse their sunburn as a windburn. Windburn is actually a made up condition whereby the top layer of oil is removed from the skin, causing excessive dryness that leads to redness and a burning feeling due to the exposure to UV rays. Whilst windburn may harm the skin, it does not create any health harms or problems. |
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==Wind as a contributing factor== |
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People commonly believe that any burn that happens on a cold day is windburn, but this is not the case. Sunburns are caused as a result of [[ultraviolet]] light, not by the temperature, hence it doesn't matter whether high temperatures are present or not. The condition is commonly associated with [[skiing]], where one can experience both windburn and sunburn very easily. This is because strong winds are frequent at higher altitudes, and snow is an excellent reflector for [[ultraviolet]] rays. Also, at higher altitudes you have a smaller cushion [[sphere]] above you; thus, the level of exposure on a [[mountain]] is much higher than it would be at [[sea level]] on a [[beach]]. |
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There may be contributing factors of the wind to windburn, and similarly, sunburns. Most importantly, the cooling effects of the wind decrease the perception of heat and burning, meaning individuals are less likely to seek shade or to protect themselves against the sun, and are more likely to stay exposed to the burning effects of the sun's [[UV radiation]] for longer.<ref name=metnz-myth /><ref name=tv3nz-windburn /> Along with being cooling, the wind also has a [[Xeroderma|drying]] effect on the skin, which may exacerbate the symptoms of a sunburn.<ref name=gwa-sunsafe /><ref name=tv3nz-windburn /> There are also some claims that the natural oils and moisture in the skin are reduced in cold conditions, making the skin more vulnerable to the drying effects of the wind and the sun's UV radiation, and thus more easily burnt in situations where people may not expect to be sunburnt, such as in the snow.<ref name=disc-wind>{{cite web|last=Barrymore|first=John|title=Windburn overview|url=http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/problems/medical/windburn.htm|work=Discovery Fit and Health official website|publisher=[[Discovery Communications]]|accessdate=18 August 2013}}</ref> |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist|2}} |
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The prevention of windburn and sunburn should go hand in hand. Covering the skin, using sunscreen, and moisturizing are important prevention methods for both windburn and sunburn. |
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*'''Sunscreen''': For prevention of sunburns, one should not forget the sunscreen in the winter. The moisturizer in the sunscreen can help prevent windburn. Moreover, most people do not think they are receiving ultraviolet light when it is cold or snowing outside but, in fact, sunscreen acts as environmental protection against UV-UVB light as well as providing moisturizing agents. Suncreen needs to be replaced every couple of hours. Moisturizing with sunscreen while going up a ski lift will be good to protect your skin. Use highest SPF, 30 to 50, and preferably a zinc-based or avobenzone based sunscreen.{{Fact|date=March 2007}} |
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*'''Lips''': Also, the lips should be moisturized with a sun block lip protector. |
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*'''Covering''': A skier faces low humidity, direct wind, and cold temperatures. Ideally, one should wear fleece-based protection for the entire face to both comfort the skin and protect it from wind. |
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*'''Goggles''': Goggles are also extremely important. |
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==Treatment== |
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Aloe-based moisturizer alleviates the symptoms of windburn.{{Fact|date=March 2008}} Cocoa butter works well too.{{Fact|date=March 2008}} Avoid scratching or rubbing the affected area too much. |
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==External links== |
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*[http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/48/228.cfm treating windburn] |
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Latest revision as of 18:03, 29 January 2024
Windburn is a condition whereby a sunburn obtained in cool or cloudy conditions is incorrectly attributed to the effects of the wind rather than the sun, mostly in North America.[1][2][3][4] The main reason is that in cool or cloudy conditions many people are unaware that they are still vulnerable to the burning effects of the sun's UV radiation, so fail to take precautionary sun protection measures.[1][4]
The fact that windburn was really misattributed sunburn, rather than a distinct condition, was shown as early as 1936 by English skin specialist Charles Howard White of Cambridge and American physicist William Henry Crew of New York University.[5][6] Nonetheless, the accepted existence of windburn remains a widely held misconception.[1][3][7][8][9]
Prevention and treatment[edit]
The treatment of windburn is the same as for sunburn. Prevention measures involve wearing protective clothing, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and seeking shade.[1]
Wind as a contributing factor[edit]
There may be contributing factors of the wind to windburn, and similarly, sunburns. Most importantly, the cooling effects of the wind decrease the perception of heat and burning, meaning individuals are less likely to seek shade or to protect themselves against the sun, and are more likely to stay exposed to the burning effects of the sun's UV radiation for longer.[3][4] Along with being cooling, the wind also has a drying effect on the skin, which may exacerbate the symptoms of a sunburn.[2][4] There are also some claims that the natural oils and moisture in the skin are reduced in cold conditions, making the skin more vulnerable to the drying effects of the wind and the sun's UV radiation, and thus more easily burnt in situations where people may not expect to be sunburnt, such as in the snow.[10]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d "10 myths about sun protection". Official SunSmart website. Cancer Council Australia. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
You can get burnt on windy, cloudy and cool days. Sunburn is caused by UV radiation, which is not related to temperature – a cooler or windy day in summer will have a similar UV index to a warmer day. If it's windy and you get a red face, it's likely to be sunburn. There's no such thing as 'windburn'. You can also get sunburnt on cloudy days, as UV radiation can penetrate some clouds, and may even be more intense due to reflection off the bottom of the clouds.
- ^ a b "Sun safety in the workplace". Department of Commerce official website. Government of Western Australia. 7 October 2009. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
The wind may dry the skin but does not burn it. What is commonly described as windburn is most likely sunburn.
- ^ a b c Beckman, Wayde (8 February 2011). "Myth-busting Windburn". MetService Blog. Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
'I got windburnt today.' 'My lips feel windburnt.' It's something we hear from time to time... But what is windburn? And can the wind really burn our skin?... Double-checking with a dermatologist confirms that the term windburn is a misnomer. And that red, sore, dry skin or lips is actually sunburn caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
- ^ a b c d Hall, Mike (2 October 2012). "'Windburn' myth highlights need for sun safety message". TV3 (New Zealand) official site. MediaWorks New Zealand. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
'Windburn is a misnomer,' says dermatologist Todd Gunson. '... the redness and the tenderness that results from a day out in the sun is almost always due to sunburn.'
- ^ "Medicine: Windburn to Sunburn". Time. Time Inc. 12 October 1936. Archived from the original on February 28, 2008. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
...was the first demonstration that 'windburn' is really sunburn
- ^ Crew, W. H.; Whittle, C. H. (2 October 1936). "Sunburn and Windburn". Science. 84 (2179): 309–310. doi:10.1126/science.84.2179.309. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
- ^ "Windburn". Dictionary.com. IAC. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
an inflammation of the skin...caused by overexposure to the wind.
- ^ "What is Windburn?". WiseGeek official website. Conjecture Corporation. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
Windburn is a condition caused by exposure to strong and frequently cold winds for extended periods of time.
- ^ Sugar, Je9nny (15 January 2008). "Prevent and Treat Windburn". PopSugar Fitness official website. PopSugar Inc. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
If you like to venture out in the cold weather, you want to protect your skin from windburn. No it's not a Winter sunburn because it's not caused by the sun's harmful rays...it's actually caused by a combination of cold temp0eratures and low humidity.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Barrymore, John. "Windburn overview". Discovery Fit and Health official website. Discovery Communications. Retrieved 18 August 2013.