In the summertime, many of us are very concerned with sunburns and keeping our skin safe in the bright sunshine. But there’s another type of burn that deserves mention too, and this burn results from spending prolonged periods of time out in windy conditions.
Here is some information about windburn and how to prevent and treat windburn naturally.
What Is Windburn?
Spending time in the outdoors when the conditions are very windy can result in skin sensitivity and visible symptoms. This is an issue in both the hot summer and cold winter seasons because wind can affect the skin regardless of outdoor temperature. There is some debate in the medical community as to whether windburn is a separate condition from sunburn and whether it really exists as a stand-alone condition at all.
What Causes Windburn?
Sunburn may be a cause of windburn; however, windburn affects some people even on the cloudiest of days. When the skin is exposed to dry air, the skin loses its natural moisture and necessary oils. This makes the skin less able to protect itself from the harsh elements of nature. If you have another skin condition, such as eczema, you may be more susceptible to windburn.
Symptoms of Windburn
Windburn commonly causes redness and sensitivity of the skin. Some people even experience a feeling of burning or peeling skin. Windburn often feels like sunburn, and the two conditions may present themselves at the same time.
Natural Treatments for Windburn
Regardless of the temperature outside, it’s always a good idea to protect yourself with sunscreen. If you have windburn, it’s also important to moisturize your skin with natural moisturizers, like Seagate Smooth Skin, so that you don’t further irritate your skin with chemical products.
While your skin is windburned, avoid using very hot water in the shower to prevent additional pain. You should also avoid using scrubs, exfoliants, and astringents on your skin until it heals and regains the moisture it needs to thrive. Aloe vera is an excellent choice for natural windburn therapy.
If your lips are windburned, make sure to use a thick lip moisturizer multiple times per day and avoid eating spicy foods to prevent irritation. Regardless of what part of your skin is windburned drinking lots of water to stay hydrated is always a smart idea.
How to Prevent Windburn
To prevent windburn, make sure to check the weather conditions before you go outside to take the necessary precautions. You can protect your skin by covering up with a scarf, long sleeves, and long pants. Keep your lips moisturized while spending time outside on windy days as well since the thin layers of skin on the lips are especially prone to windburn. Stay safe on windy days out there!