Nasal strips are adhesive, non-pharmaceutical devices designed to improve breathing by physically opening the nasal passages. They consist of a flexible band applied across the bridge of the nose to increase airflow. People commonly use these strips to alleviate minor congestion, improve breathing during exercise, or reduce snoring caused by nasal obstruction. The strips offer a temporary, external method to address restricted airflow.
How the Strips Widen Nasal Passages
A nasal strip contains embedded rigid strips, often made of plastic or an elastic material, secured to the skin by an adhesive layer. Once placed correctly across the nose, this mechanical action gently pulls outward on the skin of the nostrils. The resulting lift physically widens the narrowest part of the nasal passage, known as the nasal valve, decreasing the resistance to air moving through the nose. This lifting effect helps to counteract the common issue where the soft cartilage walls of the nose partially collapse inward during inhalation.
Scientific Evidence of Congestion Relief
Clinical studies using objective measurements like rhinomanometry have demonstrated that nasal strips significantly improve nasal airflow capacity. This technique measures the volume of air moving through the nasal passages and has shown that the strips can lower nasal resistance by a measurable amount, sometimes decreasing it by nearly 40% while a person is asleep. This mechanical expansion increases the internal cross-sectional area of the nasal airway, benefiting congestion stemming from minor physical restrictions or nasal valve weakness.
While the physical effect on airflow is quantifiable, the subjective feeling of congestion relief is mixed. Some users report significant improvements in breathing ease, better sleep quality, and reduced daytime sleepiness, though controlled trials sometimes show no statistically significant subjective benefit over a placebo strip. Nasal strips are most consistently effective for reducing snoring caused directly by nasal obstruction.
Conditions Where Nose Strips Offer Minimal Help
Nasal strips function purely as a mechanical aid to widen the external nasal structure; they do not treat underlying biological conditions. Consequently, they provide minimal help for congestion caused by inflammation deep within the nasal cavity or sinuses. Congestion from a severe cold, flu, or a bacterial sinus infection is primarily due to swollen, inflamed tissues and excessive mucus production. The external widening of the nasal valve will not resolve this deeper, internal blockage.
Similarly, the strips are ineffective against severe structural issues such as large nasal polyps or significant septal deviations. If congestion is persistent or severe, relying solely on a strip may mask a condition that requires medical attention, like advanced allergies or obstructive sleep apnea. For these deeper issues, alternative treatments like decongestants, steroid sprays, or medical consultation are necessary.