Woman Calls Herself 'modern Day Vampire' Amidst Sun Allergy

WOMAN CALLS HERSELF 'MODERN DAY VAMPIRE' AMIDST SUN ALLERGY
WITH VID AND PIX
BY SHANNON PICKETT
This woman has shared how her severe allergy to the sun has meant she now needs to live her life hiding in the dark, proudly calling herself a “modern-day vampire.”
Emily Richardson, 36, from Tennessee, USA, says even five seconds of sunlight can trigger a severe reaction, and 20 seconds could leave her hospitalised.
After catching COVID-19 in 2021, her condition worsened dramatically, leaving her unable to go outside during daylight hours, which she says has led to her getting strange looks from the public.
She said: “I will not apologise 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 told how her condition began when she was a teenager. While her friends would tan on sunny days, she would burn despite using the same sunscreen.
By her early twenties, what looked like ordinary sunburn had turned into a frightening allergic reaction.
Her skin would swell, turn purple and break out in itchy hives, leaving her in pain and confusion.
After contracting COVID-19, Emily says doctors believe her immune system was damaged, leaving her even more vulnerable to sunlight.
She has been hospitalised four times since and says her life has completely changed.
She now sleeps through the day, only venturing outside under the cover of darkness. Protective clothing, gloves, and wide-brimmed hats are her constant companions whenever she has to step outdoors.
Despite everything, Emily refuses to hide or be ashamed of her condition.
She said: “I won’t apologise for my nocturnal schedule.
“I’m completely allergic to the sun, so there’s no point being awake through most of the day.
“I also won’t apologise for calling myself a vampire.
"If that bothers people, it’s probably because they can’t use the word against me anymore.
“The earliest I can remember being sensitive to sunlight was as a teenager. But after COVID, everything changed.
“Now five seconds of exposure will cause a reaction, and twenty seconds will put me in hospital.
“If I’m a vampire, then I’m one on my own terms.”
ENDS