Most people experience the symptoms of a runny nose and watery eyes and hiccups after consuming food with red chilli. These symptoms are not caused by the immune system, but rather from irritant effects on mucous membranes. Capsaicinoids are the chemicals present in chili pepper (the most common way of consuming red chilli) which provide nutritional benefits as well as the intense burning sensation in one’s palate. For people who complain of chili pepper allergy, the immune system treats these chemicals as a threat to the body. An antibody Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is released which tries to find and destroy these chemicals, as a result of which the complainer may develop temporary rashes or gastrointestinal problems.