Can Nasal Strips Quiet Disruptive Snoring? We Asked an ENT Whether These Adhesives Do Anything

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Ever since Bruce Johnson, a frustrated Minnesotan, decided to tape his nostrils open in the 1980s to combat congestion — millions of frustrated sleepers, athletes and even horses (by way of their trainers) have relied on nasal strips to improve airflow. Nasal strips from popular brands like Breathe Right, Insta Clear and Clear Passage are affordable, easy to pick up from the local corner store and, when applied correctly, can help pry open the obstructive passages of the nostrils — but the question becomes whether or not these medicinal art stickers can actually deaden the nocturnal rumbles from nasal passages.

Most snoring issues originate where the tongue meets the back of the throat. When the muscles in that area are too narrow or relaxed, the tissue vibrates creating common snoring sounds. And in the case of sleep apnea, snoring is more than an annoyance as breathing stops altogether for at least a moment.

Applying tape to the nose each night is a tall order for most, but once a bedmate has lost patience and the effects of degraded sleep quality are felt, any and all methods are on the table. How effective are nasal strips?

Do Nasal Strips Help?

“Most of the time if somebody snores chronically, they also have issues where there’s not proper airflow coming through the nose,” Board-Certified ENT Dr. Madan Kandula told Spy. “So there can be an interrelatedness to the sounds coming from the throat and what’s happening at the start of the airway in the nose.”

Sleep specialist Dr. Omavi Bailey told Spy that many snoring and apnea issues that originate in the nose are related to facial structure. “You can have upper airway structures like a very narrow nose with nasal turbulence,” he says. “There are researchers who look at specific phenotypes of facial structures. WSo with certain phenotypes, facial bones may be more recessed. or you can have a recessed jaw with an overbite. There are different facial structures that phenotypically have higher likelihood of snoring or sleep apnea.”

The physicians that Spy spoke with noted that there’s little to no evidence that nasal strips are effective for chronic snorers or people who suffer from sleep apnea. According to a 2016 study published in the JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery journal, nasal strips may temporarily reduce snoring due to infrequent nasal blockage or sinus congestion but are unlikely to help someone who So while they might offer relief to someone who started snoring because a cold has them congested, nasal strips won’t be of help for someone who snores chronically due to structural, allergy-based, or sinus tissue-based complications.

Dr. Kandula emphasizes that chronic snorers should consult a medical professional because persistent snoring can be a sign of more serious health issues.

What The Experts Say About Strips

“Nasal strips, clips and similar devices are all trying to keep your nasal airways open when you’re sleeping at night,” Dr. Kandula explains. “There’s not necessarily harm in trying them.”

It’s not an overwhelming endorsement, but it’s a go-ahead to try the many strips on the market. The doctors SPY spoke with recommended (amidst caveats) that snorers seek out strips with strong adhesives and splints robust enough to keep nasal cavities open. For best results, washing and drying the nose prior to applying nasal strips is strongly recommended.

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Are Nasal Strips Worth It?

As an accessible and low-cost option to reduce snoring caused by drainage, nasal strips are worth a try on an occasional basis. With so many varieties on the market, it may take some trial and error to find the strips that you find most preferred.

But nasal strips should not be considered a viable solution for chronic snorers or those suffering from sleep apnea. Nasal strips will do almost nothing to abate the symptoms in these instances and worst case scenario will delay worthwhile treatment best done with a professional.

“I’m always looking at genetics, environment and behavior change.” Dr. Bailey says.”Then I take those considerations to help patients improve sleep duration, sleep timing and sleep quality. There’s a full picture of sleep and my objective is not to just treat the sleep disorder, but to use sleep as my treatment for their other health concerns. I want to optimize sleep because that can lower your blood sugar, lower your blood pressure, help you lose weight, improve your mood, and help treat depression.”

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