By: Mathew Chang
For as long as I can remember, I have suffered from nasal congestion. I am constantly reaching for Kleenex, and all too often don’t feel like I can breathe properly. It even affects how I sleep since I constantly need to blow my nose.
Recently, I decided to try something new. For one week, I have been using nose strips to see if they really can help with breathing and sleeping.
These adhesive strips, typically sold in pharmacies, are applied to the bridge of the nose. They are designed to spread the nasal passages, allowing for better breathing, particularly at night.
So, do they work or are they just hype? Well, it’s a bit of both.
The way that nose strips work is incredibly simple.
Each strip is equipped with pliable metal bands that expand and then contract, working much like tiny springs once the strip is applied to the bridge of the nose. When applied to the nose, the bands push out and gently widen the nasal passage at the valve, which is the narrowest region of the nose. More space, of course, equals better airflow.
It’s also a mechanical solution rather than a chemical one, and there’s value in that. You don’t need to put any pharmaceuticals into your body to use one of these nose strips, as you would with a nasal spray or an antihistamine.
That’s precisely why many find this drug-free remedy appealing, especially for those who are anxious about medication or only need to overcome a temporary blockage in the nasal passage.
I was shocked to find out how helpful they can be for someone like me with a congested nose.
Once I used the strip, it took a while for me to feel the effect but once I did, I was able to sleep comfortably.
So, yes, they were a success, especially when I was sleeping. But not only did they help with my congestion, but they also addressed another issue related to my clogged passages: snoring.
Air not passing easily through the nasal passage causes the person to shift to mouth breathing, which can lead to vibrations of the soft tissues in the throat.
Opening up the nasal passages allows for nose-breathing during sleep, reducing cases of snoring.
And I’m not the only one who finds nose strips help. Based on online reviews, user satisfaction appears generally high, especially with mild to moderate congestion.
Most users complaining of hay fever or a recent head cold found that nasal strips gave fast-acting relief without any of the drawbacks of medication sprays.
But buyer beware: There is no guarantee it will work fantastically for everybody. However most reported that it provided just enough improvement to make sleep comfortable.
Having said that, nose strips are not exactly a miracle cure. They only help to improve airflow if the blockage is within the nose itself. They cannot help with more serious issues like sleep apnea. Medical intervention is still required in cases where serious blockages occur, and nose strips should only be considered a supplemental method for minor breathing problems.
But there are other ways that nose strips can be beneficial and not just when sleeping.
Nose strips have also attracted attention from athletes. Have you ever wondered why many runners or football players can be seen wearing nasal strips when performing? The logic is that allowing increased airflow can potentially aid performance. Although scientific research into this is inconclusive to some extent, numerous athletes maintain that they feel an improvement when wearing the nasal strips.
While the sports medicine jury is still out on nose strips, especially in endurance disciplines such as distance running where breathing is critical to achieving a steady rhythm and comfortable respiration.
In terms of functionality, nose strips are a popular choice as they are easy to use, inexpensive, and readily available.
For travellers, especially during air travel, a nose strip offers an advantage in that it may help to relieve congestion without having to take up room for liquids or rely on obtaining prescription medication.
They’re not without their negatives though.
Correct positioning is vital, and there will likely take a couple of trys to ensure they are, placed in just the right spot. Wearing them too low or too high makes them largely ineffective.
They can also irritate to more sensitive skin, especially with repeated use. Although thankfully, there are now many hypoallergenic alternatives available.
Comfort and physical appearance may be issues for some.
While I got used to it quickly, the ‘pull’ factor might be something that feels a bit odd initially.
While you might be comfortable wearing one in your sleep, wearing one publicly, outside of a sporting context, might be something a bit more difficult for some to adapt to.
Ultimately, what I would say about nose strips is that they’re fairly effective.
They make no grand claims, but they usually bring about a minor and consistent improvement.
For those suffering from occasional nasal stuffiness, a touch of snoring, or just someone who wishes they could breathe a little more easily during sleep, that often proves to be enough.
Nose strips, as with a lot of things in health, sit in a comfortable niche.
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