A woman, Emily Richardson, has shared her experience living with a severe sunlight allergy that has led her to adopt a lifestyle mostly in darkness, humorously referring to herself as a “modern-day vampire.” Emily, aged 36 and from Tennessee, USA, revealed that even brief exposure to sunlight can trigger a painful reaction, with a mere 20 seconds potentially landing her in the hospital. Her condition, which initially surfaced during her teenage years, worsened significantly after she contracted Covid-19 in 2021.
Due to her heightened sensitivity to sunlight post-Covid, Emily is now compelled to avoid daylight outings to safeguard her well-being. She acknowledges that her protective attire, necessary for any outdoor excursion, often attracts attention, stating defiantly, “I will not apologize if my outfit makes you uncomfortable. I have to wear it every time I leave the house – so if you’re uncomfortable, think how it makes me feel.”
Emily noticed her unusual sun-reactive behavior compared to her friends while growing up, experiencing quick burns despite using sunscreen similar to theirs. By her early twenties, what seemed like regular sunburn escalated into a more alarming condition, causing her skin to swell, turn purple, and develop itchy hives.
Medical professionals now speculate that Emily’s Covid-19 infection may have compromised her immune system, heightening her photosensitivity. Consequently, she has been hospitalized four times due to severe sun-induced reactions. Reflecting on her condition, Emily recalled, “The earliest I remember being sensitive to sunlight was as a teenager. But after Covid, everything changed. Now five seconds of exposure will cause a reaction, and 20 seconds could put me in the hospital.”
Emily’s daily routine has undergone a complete transformation, with her now sleeping during the day and venturing outside exclusively at night, clad in protective layers of clothing, gloves, and broad-brimmed hats. Despite the curious gazes she receives, Emily has chosen to embrace her unique lifestyle, asserting, “I won’t apologize for my nocturnal schedule. I’m completely allergic to the sun, so there’s no point being awake through most of the day.”
The NHS defines polymorphic light eruption, or polymorphous light eruption, as a sun-induced skin rash. Treatment recommendations for those affected include avoiding sun exposure and utilizing antihistamines, phototherapy, and steroid tablets or medications.
Addressing those who may find her self-identification as a vampire controversial, Emily confidently stated, “I also won’t apologize for calling myself a vampire. If that bothers people, it’s probably because they can’t use the word against me anymore.”