Another month, another beauty pageant scandal.

Unlike anything involving Tara Conner or Katie Rees, however, the latest has nothing to do with hot young women getting drunk and naked. Sorry, guys.

Over the weekend, Ingrid Marie Rivera overcame 29 rivals to become the Puerto Rico's 2008 Miss Universe contestant... despite applying makeup and wearing evening gowns that had been coated with pepper spray, according to pageant spokesman Harold Rosario.

While Rivera was composed while appearing before cameras and judges throughout the competition, she had to strip off her clothes and apply ice bags to her face and body - which swelled and broke out in hives twice - any time she went backstage.

"We thought at first it was an allergic reaction, or maybe nerves," Rosario said.

"But the second time, we knew it couldn't have been a coincidence."

Later, Rivera's clothing and makeup tested positive for pepper spray. Also, someone stole Rivera's bag containing her gowns, makeup and credit cards.

We wonder if Simon Monjack is a suspect.