Windburn
Windburn is a skin condition where wind removes the top layer of oil from the skin. Although colloqially named 'windburn', 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.
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.
Common cause
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.
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.
Prevention
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.
- 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.[citation needed]
- Lips: Also, the lips should be moisturized with a sun block lip protector.
- 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.
- Goggles: Goggles are also extremely important.
Treatment
Aloe-based moisturizer alleviates the symptoms of windburn.[citation needed] Cocoa butter works well too.[citation needed] Avoid scratching or rubbing the affected area too much.