Jamie Dornan Hospitalized After Heart Attack: How a Toxic Caterpillar Nearly Killed the Fifty Shades of Gray Star?
Jamie Dornan recently revealed he’s “lucky to be alive” after a terrifying health scare while on holiday. The Fifty Shades of Grey star suffered heart attack-like symptoms that he later learned were likely caused by exposure to poisonous caterpillars. While vacationing with friends in Portugal, Dornan and his companions encountered toxic hairy caterpillars that led to frightening medical emergencies. The experience left Dornan hospitalized and his friend was convinced he was having a heart attack.
How Did the Caterpillars Trigger Health Issues For Jamie Dornan?
As per Outlook, according to Dornan’s friend Gordon Smart, who recounted the incident on a podcast, the group had enjoyed their first day of golfing and socializing at a resort before the symptoms began.
The next morning, Smart noticed a tingling and tickling sensation in his left arm which led him to worry he was having a heart attack. Jamie Dornan also apparently collapsed and had to be hospitalized due to the immense pain he was experiencing.
“It turns out we’d brushed up against hairy processionary caterpillars and have been very lucky to come out of that one alive,” Smart explained.
Doctors quickly determined the men’s symptoms were likely from contact with a species of toxic caterpillar common in the area called processionary caterpillars. The creatures’ tiny hairs contain an irritating protein that can cause severe reactions in humans.
What Dangers Do the Caterpillars Pose?
Processionary caterpillars may look harmless, but their tiny, hair-like spikes contain a toxin called thaumetopoein that can trigger painful reactions. The toxin can cause skin irritations, asthma-like symptoms, sore throats, and eye problems in humans and animals.
In rare cases, people can have life-threatening allergic reactions leading to anaphylactic shock. Dornan’s extreme chest pains and heart attack-like symptoms align with the most dangerous effects of the toxin.
People often come into contact with the critters inadvertently while gardening, walking dogs, or pursuing outdoor activities like Dornan’s golf holiday. Simply brushing up against the hairs can cause exposure.
How Did Jamie Dornan and Gordon Smart Recover?
Luckily, Dornan and Smart recovered after receiving medical care. But Smart said he initially feared the worst when doctors questioned whether alcohol was to blame for his racing heart rate.
“I could see him shaking his head disgusted with the Scottish specimen in front of him,” Smart recalled about the doctor’s reaction to his drinking history.
Once properly diagnosed, the men’s symptoms likely cleared up with steroids, antihistamines and close monitoring. It was a frightening wake-up call about the risks of underestimating small creatures like caterpillars.
Dornan hasn’t spoken further about the ordeal but is no doubt relieved to be back in good health. He surely won’t take harmless-looking caterpillars for granted anymore after such a near-death experience.
