@jodyjazz Yep, I've been aware of sunscreen for decades, but I haven't tried it since having ET because I haven't been convinced that the rashes are from sun exposure. Prior to the pandemic, I had no rashes and my face wasn't turning red from being out in the sun. So, I assumed the rashes were "mask rash" from wearing the Covid masks. However, since that ended, the rashes are still there on my cheeks. If I do spend much time in the sun during the summer, my face does turn red and I feel lethargic. But this subsides after I'm indoors again, after a few hours. If, on the other hand, I am out in the morning when it's relatively cooler (in Seattle), I avoid the red face.

What I have read about ginger oil is that it is good for skin health in general. It's not a substitute for sunscreen, that I know of, and that's not why I want to use it. I want to see if it can eliminate the rashes on my face, though. I'll let you know if it works.

@jodyjazz Getting back to Hydroxyurea and sun exposure, this sounds like yet another side effect of Hydroxyurea, to me, or at least it's a serious concern. One more reason to replace Hydroxyurea with foods that can lower platelet count. Afterall, that is the only reason for taking Hydroxyurea in the first place, i.e, to reduce platelet count. It doesn't do anything else that is necessary to anyone with ET. So, if it is causing an increased sensitivity to sunlight, better to ditch the HU for something benign, like food. All the more reason to use cranberry juice (assuming it is as effective at reducing platelet count as I have read it is, of course).