Why does wind cause sunburn?

Question

I played golf yesterday and it was quite sunny but nothin special and yet I got really sunburnt. Everyone says it's due to the wind. How does that work?

Answer 1

Sun, Wind, Rain, Snow and Low Humidity


Besides cold temperatures, other environmental stressors will be encountered during cold-weather operations. In desert, arctic, and high altitude regions, very low temperatures are often accompanied by high winds, low humidity, very bright sun, or a combination of those conditions. Sun, wind, snow, rain, and low humidity each present environmental health threats in and of themselves.

Understanding the Problems:

1. Exposure of unprotected skin and eyes to sunlight may cause sunburn and snow blindness.

a. The threat of sunburn and snow blindness depends on the intensity of sunlight, not the air temperature.

b. Snow, ice, and lightly colored objects reflect the sun's rays, increasing the potential for injury.

c. Sunburned skin will appear red, hot to the touch, possibly swollen and blistered, and will be painful.

d. Solar radiation can "sunburn" unprotected eyes, resulting in snow blindness. Sunburned eyes are painful. There is often a gritty feeling, profuse tearing, blurred vision, and headache.

e. Sunburn and snow blindness can last hours to days, and can cause temporary incapacitation.

2. Cold weather is often accompanied by winds and low humidity.

a. Wind-blown debris entering the eyes can lead to eye irritation, injury, and infection.

b. Low humidity and windy conditions cause drying of the lining (mucous membranes) of the nose, mouth, and throat, causing nosebleeds, sore throat, and minor respiratory difficulties. Low humidity and wind can dry and cause chapping of the skin, increasing the sensitivity to sunburn and chaffing.

3. Working in snow, ice, or mud is very strenuous. Building fighting positions and moving troops requires more time and physical effort. Digging may be very difficult or impossible in frozen ground.

FIRST AID FOR OVEREXPOSURE TO SUN AND WIND:


1. PREVENT FURTHER EXPOSURE
2. TREAT MILD SUNBURN, WINDBURN AND CHAPPING WITH MOISTURIZING LOTIONS, AND ASPIRIN OR TYLENOL, BUT EVACUATE FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT IF LARGE AREAS OF SKIN ARE INJURED OR BLISTERED
3. FOR SNOW BLINDNESS, HAVE VICTIM REST IN DARK AREA WITH EYES COVERED WITH COOL, WET BANDAGES UNTIL EVACUATED

Answer 2

The other posters are correct -- it *is* windburn, not sunburn. But here is the true explanation of what windburn is and why it happens, just so you know! From Wikipedia:

"Windburn is a skin burn condition where wind removes the top layer of oil from the skin. The lack of oil causes excessive dryness of the skin, leading to redness and a burning feeling. Redness and burning are also common symptoms of a sunburn, so the two conditions are often mistaken for each other."

That's why you get confused -- and if you have a sunburn on top of it -- YOUCH!!

So, keep covered or keep moistened to help prevent it from happening again. Good golfing!!

Answer 3

No..Its just that it so windy that you dont feel the sun. So, you get a sun burn even faster and worst than if there wasnt any wind. Why? because if there isnt any wind you would feel the sun burning and would probably get out of the sun or put sun block.

Answer 4

It doesn't.

It causes wind burn. Usually there's dirt/sand/ something else abrasive in the air, but possibly so fine you just feel the wind.

Answer 5

It's Wind Burn. Mixed with the Sun it can be a Killer !!

Answer 6

it doesnt , it causes windburn