Allergic to Sunlight: Woman Embraces 'Vampire' Lifestyle to Survive

As of November 15, 2025, a 36-year-old woman named Emily Richardson has been living with a severe allergy to sunlight that has forced her to adapt to a unique, nocturnal lifestyle. According to the article, Emily's condition first appeared in her teens, but it has dramatically worsened since she contracted COVID-19 in 2021.

Prior to the pandemic, Emily had always noticed that she reacted differently to the sun compared to her friends. While they could spend summers tanning, Emily would quickly burn, even with sunscreen. By her early 20s, what looked like ordinary sunburn had become something far more serious, with her skin swelling, turning purple, and erupting in itchy hives.

After catching COVID-19 last year, Emily's immune system appears to have been weakened, making her even more hypersensitive to sunlight. Now, just 5 seconds of exposure can trigger a painful reaction, and 20 seconds could land her in the hospital. As a result, Emily's life has been completely transformed. She now sleeps through the day and ventures outside only at night, wearing layers of protective clothing, gloves, and wide-brimmed hats.

Despite the stares and discomfort her appearance may cause, Emily refuses to hide her condition and proudly embraces her "modern-day vampire" lifestyle. "I won't apologize for my nocturnal schedule," she says. "I'm completely allergic to the sun, so there's no point being awake through most of the day."