People often notice a strip or patch placed across the bridge of the nose. This is sometimes a traditional medical dressing applied for healing after injury or surgery. However, the term “bandage” broadly refers to two distinct applications: a medical covering for recovery and a non-medical, adhesive strip designed to mechanically improve airflow. The application depends entirely on whether the individual is recovering from a procedure or seeking to enhance respiratory function.
Bandages for Injury and Post-Surgical Healing
Following invasive procedures such as rhinoplasty (a nose job) or septoplasty, medical dressings are routinely applied to support the altered nasal structures. These items can be specialized tapes, splints, or casts designed to provide external stabilization. The immediate post-operative goal is to maintain the new architectural framework while the bones and cartilage heal in their desired configuration.
The gentle, consistent pressure from medical tape or a splint plays a significant role in managing post-surgical swelling, or edema. By applying even compression, the bandage helps to reduce the accumulation of fluid in the soft tissues, which can speed up the overall recovery process. Medical professionals often advise patients to continue this gentle taping regimen for several weeks after the main external splint is removed to help the skin re-drape smoothly.
In cases of nasal trauma or minor cuts and abrasions, a traditional bandage serves the familiar purpose of wound management. A plaster or gauze protects the broken skin from contaminants, reducing the risk of bacterial infection. This covering also absorbs exudate or light bleeding, keeping the area clean and promoting an optimal healing environment.
Immediately following nasal surgery, a specialized gauze known as a “mustache dressing” is often secured beneath the nostrils. The purpose of this absorbent dressing is to catch bloody or mucous drainage expected in the first few days after the procedure. This prevents the patient from constantly touching the area, which reduces the chance of introducing infection to the surgical site.
Nasal Strips for Enhanced Breathing and Performance
The strip seen on the nose of an athlete or someone sleeping is typically an external nasal dilator, often called a nasal strip. This adhesive patch contains internal flexible bands or splints. When placed over the bridge and flare of the nostrils, the embedded bands attempt to straighten, creating an outward pulling force on the external nasal walls.
This mechanical action physically lifts and widens the narrowest part of the nasal airway, known as the nasal valve. By holding this area open, the strip reduces resistance to airflow, making it easier to breathe through the nose. This effect is purely mechanical and drug-free, providing temporary relief from congestion caused by a cold, allergies, or a naturally narrow nasal passage.
The most common use for these strips is to improve sleep quality by reducing snoring. Snoring occurs when partially obstructed nasal passages force air through a smaller space, causing vibrations. By increasing the cross-sectional area of the nasal aperture, the dilator strip can reduce the intensity of the sound for individuals whose snoring originates from nasal airflow issues.
For athletes, nasal strips are used to improve the perception of breathing comfort during physical exertion. While studies have not definitively shown that these strips increase maximum oxygen uptake (VO₂ max) or enhance peak athletic performance, users report less shortness of breath. The improved airflow reduces the perceived effort of nasal breathing during light to moderate exercise.