In an earlier response to a post you said that over time one could become hypersensitive to the venom. How does that work? I was under the impression that you would develop an immunity to it.



Not enough room here for a complete introduction to immunology, but here is a simplified version.....



Any foreign materials (particularly proteins) that enter your body in sufficient quantity will trigger an immune response.

Sometimes that immune response will involve the production of certain types of molecules like class G immunoglobulins (or antibodies). In this case, exposure will confer some immunity to the material in the future because the antibodies present in your system will help remove the foreign material before it can do damage.



However, other types if immune responses (called hypersensitivity responses) can trigger the production of other types of immune receptors, like class E immunoglobulins or sensitized T-cells. The problem with hypersensitivity responses is that the body "overreacts" to the invading material and damages its own tissues in an effort to get rid of the foreign stuff. They type of damage produced depends the class of response and the nature of the foreign material.



A common example would be allergies to tree pollens. Tree pollen is completely harmless, but some people's immune systems overreact to this harmless material releasing chemicals which result in allergy symptoms.



Another example would include poison ivy/oak sensitivity. It isn't the oils produced by the plant that cause the inflammation, itching, and pustules to form. Rather, it is the overreaction by your T-cells to the presence of an otherwise harmless plant oil. Your T-cells are damaging your tissues, not the plant oil.



A tuberculin skin test is another type of response that uses hypersensitivity to see if you have been previously exposed to Tuberculosis. If you have been exposed, you get a raised itchy red welt where the material is injected becuase your immune system "overreacts".



These things don't seem that big a deal, but one type of hypersensitivity is called anaphylaxis. Systemic anaphylaxis can be triggered by small amounts of a chemical to which the body has been previously sensitized. Systemic anaphylaxis can be fatal in just a few minutes due to inability to breath (because of bronchial constriction) and a drastic drop in blood pressure. This is what happens to people who get overly sensitized to bee stings, or even snake antivenin. Anaphylactic reactions kill people every year in this country.



The point is, I wouldn't deliberately be introducing hognose saliva into yourself. It probably wouldn't cause an anaphylactic type response in most people, but it could. I would avoid it as much as possible so that your body never becomes hypersensitive.
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Chris Harrison

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