Duvernoy's gland (thought this was a good read)

[guidofatherof5]

My last bite reaction. Minor swelling, lots of itching.

[Selkielass]

I've heard of some people becoming allergic to garter bites. Would the allergic reaction just look like envenomation, or does it have different symptoms?

With bee stings, any localized reaction is considered a 'normal' reaction. Unpleasant, but normal.
If you begin having trouble breathing, or experience swelling in areas not adjacent to the sting, especially swelling in and around the eyes, face neck and throat, then a true allergic reaction may be occurring and medical attention should be sought.
First line treatment is benadryl or other antihistamines and possibly an epii-pen if one is available.
reactions can remain minor but uncomfortable or progress into anyphylactic (sp?) Shock so getting to a dr quickly is a good idea.

[jaleely]

Bee stings react on the nervous system differently than snake venom.

Epipens are actually completely useless against hognose bites, as well as a lot of other snake bites as it is envenomation not an allergic reaction.
You actually have to take a specialized anti-venom, which is made from the actual venom, in most cases.

Many people think it's the saliva or that it reacts like an allergic reaction, but it's just not true.

I imagine what someone else said that the hognoses are a bit more efficient at delivering the venom is true, and that's why the reactions can seem more severe. It's unknown whether people can gain a sensitivity after multiple exposures, but many owners who've been bitten and had reactions think so.

I still don't know, as the circumstances for any of my bites either left no trace, or were extremely different.

[Selkielass]

You are quite correct.
The situations I described were in regards to an allergic reaction to honeybee venom.
With bees, it is the allergic reaction to proteins in the venom that may become life threatening, not the venom itself, unless a truly horrifying number of stings are received.

I assumed a person could develop an allergy to garter or hognose proteins, in a manner similar to bee stings and other allergens.
Am I mistaken?

[chris-uk]

I assumed a person could develop an allergy to garter or hognose proteins, in a manner similar to bee stings and other allergens.
Am I mistaken?

A person can develop an allergy to almost anything, if the immune system identifies it as a foreign body and allergic reaction can be developed. I can't see any reason why proteins in garter saliva (whether venom or other proteins) couldn't cause anaphylaxis. Repeated exposure to an antigen tends to increase the severity of response, so it would be more likely in someone who has been bitten several times.

[jaleely]

Unfortunately, no one is resistant to venom (by definition Venom:Any of various poisonous substances secreted by certain snakes, spiders, scorpions, and insects and transmitted to a victim by a bite or sting. Venoms are highly concentrated fluids that typically consist of dozens or hundreds of powerful enzymes, peptides, and smaller organic compounds. These compounds target and disable specific chemicals in the victim, damaging cellular and organ system function. Snake venoms, for example, contain substances that block platelet aggregation (causing bleeding) and that prevent the release of acetylcholine by nerve endings -causing muscle paralysis).

However an allergy (An abnormally high immunologic sensitivity to certain stimuli such as drugs, foods, environmental irritants, microorganisms, or physical conditions, such as temperature extremes. These stimuli act as antigens, provoking an immunological response involving the release of inflammatory substances, such as histamine, in the body. Allergies may be innate or acquired in genetically predisposed individuals. Common symptoms include sneezing, itching, and skin rashes, though in some individuals symptoms can be severe.)

Can be prevented, or blocked. (epipen)

Not everyone is allergic to "things" but can develop an allergy to things...however everyone is affected by venom.

It's kind of like the misconstrued difference of venom, vs poison, or aggressive, vs defensive. People use them interchangeably, however they are very different : )

[Spankenstyne]

"Unfortunately, no one is resistant to venom"

Mithridatization is something you may wish to research.

Mithridatism
Tolerance against a toxin, induced by gradually increasing its levels in the body, a technique which is similar to tolerisation therapy in allergy medicine
Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

An interesting read for some:
http://timfriede.com/articles/Venom-...d-Immunity.pdf

[guidofatherof5]

Bill Haast Article

The Official Website of W.E. "Bill" Haast

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Bill haast was a great man and he will be missed. I had the pleasure of meeting him a few years back at a reptile show he was such a great guy.

[guidofatherof5]

I didn't know he passed.