Sounds like you are doing the right thing at present. If you find you are developing rashes, headaches after sun exposure or are getting just plain sick, you need to cut back more. Some of us can do a little exposure, some of us none. Vampires!!! LOL
Good luck.
Mary Ann

Vampires - I love it! Thank goodness tanning is frowned upon these days : )

I had no idea I was photosensative till I started reading about the MP. They recommended some stuff like turning down the backlight on your computer monitor. I got immediate relief. It is not just about protecting your skin, you must protect your eyes. That is where the sun can do it worst to you physically. I wear very dark glasses wherever I go. Especially in stores. Amber lenses protect the best. I've even started wearing hats indoors to stop the light from getting behind my glasses from the top. When outside on bright days (including overcast) I wear a fit-over pair of sunglasses to give extra protection.

Start with your computer and see how it feels to reduce the backlight. If it feels good, take more measures.

I used to be a sun worshipper until 2 years ago. I started getting rashes on my hand and feet. Now I can't go anywhere without sunscreen. Even that doesn't work have the time. We are like vampires, our best time to play is at dusk, rainy and cloudy days. Terry

I am a bad girl always forgetting to wear sun screen I do wear a hat and sit in the shade/under umbrellas etc even inside the shed. My glasses have been reactor lights for years ..... Should have know back then with the head aches lol. I love the sun I have to keep warm cos of one of the blood disorders but at the same time keeping coveredish
I do feel like a vampire the amount of times I get given blood ;) lol
My advice is try not to get hung up on things I do sometimes and then all it does it bring me down enjoy the life you got ;)
All the best
Tiggy

Nevermind the photosensitivity! I went into a mini flare this week because I was in the sun all weekend...that's not to say it won't happen again...because I HATE sunscreen!

My rheumy told me that the uv rays stimulate the immune system and causes flares. She explained it as, the cells in our skin begin to break down at the moment of exposure and our bodies immediately begin to attack that....so protection, protection, protection!

Thank you all for your advice. It's very helpful!!!

I seriously take advantage of the newer sun-protective fabrics out there. OP is a great company that you can even find their stuff for cheap, even at walmart for some things. I adore the REI sun-protective wear and Coolibar as well for getting SPF clothing. I highly recommend some of these to be thrown in your 'sunwear' clothing section to help minimize the UV and visible light on your skin.

I'm highly photosensitive and it takes very little for me to have rashes or be sick. However, even those who don't have significantly noticeable reactions to sunlight often still do react to sunlight in a negative way on a lower level. Also, for some of us, sunscreens actually make us more photosensitive and sick so watch out for that (chemicals in them can make you have phototoxic reactions).

I also embrace the "I'm a vampire" joke for any people who ask why I'm so covered up in the middle of summer.

I really like this site: http://astore.amazon.com/evebutthecur-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=4

It gives lots of resources for things we need having MCTD including sun-blocking clothes and devices.

I recommend experimenting with what works for you and remember that sun exposure reactions aren't always immediate, rashes and feeling bad can happen days after exposure so some people don't connect the sunlight with the feeling sick/rashes.