Individuals with allergies often mount IgE antibody responses to non-infectious environmental antigens. Examples are peanut allergies, allergies to house dust mites, and allergic responses to bee stings. In all of these cases, the allergic response is mediated by the cross-linking of the high affinity IgE receptors on mast cells (Fc$\varepsilon$RI) which are pre-bound to the allergen-specific IgE antibodies. Yet, the symptoms of these different allergic responses can vary greatly, and can include skin rashes or hives, swelling of the throat and difficulty breathing, to gastrointestinal symptoms such as cramps, diarrhea or vomiting. How can different IgE-mediated allergic responses cause such different symptoms?

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The Answer of Individuals with allergies often mount IgE antibody responses to non-infectious environmental antigens. Examples are peanut allergies, allergies to house dust mites, and allergic responses to bee stings. In all of these cases, the allergic response is mediated by the cross-linking of the high affinity IgE receptors on mast cells (Fc$\varepsilon$RI) which are pre-bound to the allergen-specific IgE antibodies. Yet, the symptoms of these different allergic responses can vary greatly, and can include skin rashes or hives, swelling of the throat and difficulty breathing, to gastrointestinal symptoms such as cramps, diarrhea or vomiting. How can different IgE-mediated allergic responses cause such different symptoms?

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