Have Allergies? It Could Really Be Non-Allergic Rhinitis

NEW YORK (CBS 2) -- Do you seem to always have a runny or stuffy nose? Maybe you chalk it up to a cold you can't shake or allergies.

But this goes beyond allergies.

It may actually be a little known condition known as non-allergic rhinitis and it affects millions of people, especially women.

CBS 2's Dr. Holly Phillips explains, if left untreated, it can have serious side-effects.

Phillips says because the symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis are similar to allergies or the common cold, patients may go undiagnosed for years. As a result, people suffering from the condition turn to over-the-counter allergy medicines for relief.

They don't work, however, because they're not having an allergic reaction to anything, Phillips reported.