> What's the medical term for having a runny nose after eating something spicy?And the answer: Gustatory rhinitis.Photo credit: ISTOCK/YELENAYEMCHUK.The word gustatory relates to how something tastes, while the word rhinitis suggests an inflammation of the mucous membrane in the nose. Certain foods areknown triggers, especially hot and spicy ones like hot peppers, garlic, salsa,and curry.If you've ever enjoyed a delicious salsa or Thai curry, chances are you'veexperienced a few of the side-effects of a spicy dish. Watery eyes, hot tonguesand, perhaps least appealing of all, runny noses are all part of your body'sresponse to spicy stimuli. So, what gives?Well, the reaction comes down to a few specific chemicals: capsaicin and allylisothiocyanate. These chemicals are responsible for what scientists call afood's "pungency," or spiciness. Capsaicin is found in plants from the Capsicum genus, such as chili peppers, and is most concentrated in the tissue that holdsthe seeds. Allyl isothiocyanate is a colorless oil found in foods like mustardand wasabi. These spicy chemicals aren't just accident of evolution, though. In the world ofplants, capsaicin is a deterrent – it's concentrated around the seeds to keepseed-crunching mammals from destroying their chances to reproduce. So, when youchow down on something spicy, the food activates your pain receptors, not yourtaste buds. They then go on to create irritation in the mucous membranes thatline your face, including (you guessed it) your sinuses. Once a spicy chemicalinflames the membranes, they start producing extra mucus as a defense mechanism.Then, Achoo! Runny nose extravaganza.