Sunburn vs. Windburn: What’s The Difference – Infographic

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So, you’re wondering which is the best form of sunburn treatment? Well, there’s no definitive answer as each form has its own unique advantages and disadvantages, however, there are certain commonalities between both treatments and these may serve as a basis for your decision.

Sunburn and windburn have been around for centuries and in fact, the first documented case of sunburn was in 1511 when the king of the Greeks had a sunburn when he was traveling through the Sahara desert. As time progressed, doctors and researchers have tried to figure out what causes these two forms of sunburn.

Sunburn and windburn have some similarities in that they occur due to sun exposure. They also share some commonalities in that both types of sunburns result in redness of the skin and itchiness in the affected area.

Sunburns happen when the outermost layer of skin, known as the epidermis, is burned by UV rays from the sun. These rays cause damage to the layers beneath, especially the collagen and elastin. When collagen and elastin levels drop, they become unable to hold together skin cells. This is where sunburn occurs.

Windburn, on the other hand, results from the wind hitting the skin. These conditions are similar in their causes and effects but, because air cannot reach the surface of the skin as easily as it does on the surface of the skin, the burning takes place much deeper in the skin.

There are several differences between sunburn and windburn in that sunburns tend to be painful while windburns tend to cause less pain. While some types of sunburns can take a few hours to heal while other types can take a few days, windburns can take as little as an hour or as long as a few days to heal. This difference may be the reason that some people prefer one or the other. If you’re looking to treat your sunburns, you may want to consider taking an over the counter pain reliever.

Windburn tends to last longer than sunburns and it may require more attention and time to heal. As such, it’s often advised that you seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms, from itchiness, swelling, redness, to warmth in the affected area, pain, and even a change in skin color.

If you’re wondering which is the better form of sunburn treatment, you can take a look at these two and decide for yourself, however, keep in mind that the choice you make will likely have a huge impact on the quality of the results you see and how quickly you heal your burns. Although there are some commonalities between both forms, there are also some differences. To get the best results, you’ll want to research both and consult your doctor about the treatment.

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