Jamie Dornan’s Recent Trip to Portugal Leads to Hospitalization Due to Toxic Caterpillars
Jamie Dornan Hospitalized After Toxic Caterpillar Encounter in Portugal
During a recent trip to Portugal, actor Jamie Dornan found himself in the hospital after experiencing symptoms of a heart attack caused by toxic caterpillars. His friend, Gordon Smart, who also suffered similar symptoms at a golfing resort last year, revealed the health scare on BBC’s “The Good, the Bad and the Unexpected” podcast.
A Surprising Diagnosis
Initially, Dornan and Smart believed their symptoms were the result of excessive drinking the night before. However, they were shocked to discover that their health woes were actually caused by an encounter with processionary caterpillars, which are known to be toxic.
The Dangers of Processionary Caterpillars
Pine processionary moth caterpillars possess thousands of tiny hairs that contain an irritating protein. These hairs can cause painful skin, eye, and throat irritations, according to Forest Research.
A Frightening Experience
Just one day into their vacation, Smart experienced a tingling sensation in his left hand and arm, leading him to believe he was having a heart attack. Despite being a generally healthy individual, Smart couldn’t shake the fear that he was indeed having a cardiac event.
After receiving medical attention and being closely monitored by doctors and nurses, Smart was eventually discharged from the hospital.
Jamie Dornan’s Scary Encounter
Upon returning to the hotel, Smart discovered that Dornan had also been hospitalized. Dornan recounted his experience, stating that his left arm, left leg, and right leg had gone numb, ultimately leading to him being transported in an ambulance.
As Dornan was leaving the hospital, paramedics even asked him for a selfie, an unexpected request in such a situation.
The following week, Smart received a call from the doctor who suggested that their symptoms may have been caused by toxic caterpillars. Apparently, there are caterpillars on golf courses in southern Portugal that have been responsible for the deaths of dogs and heart attacks in men in their 40s.
Smart expressed gratitude for their survival, stating, “It turns out we’d brushed up against hairy processionary caterpillars and have been very lucky to come out of that one alive.” He added, “So there’s my story; the good news is it wasn’t a caffeine overdose, it wasn’t a hangover — it was a poisonous, toxic caterpillar.”
