The trendy nose strips that even appeal to athletes: "Just wearing one doesn't turn you into Alcaraz."

Nasal valve dilators are products that come into fashion from time to time, sometimes changing format, but with the same goal: to breathe better and , occasionally, improve athletic performance . We're currently in one of those times when nasal strips seem to be everywhere : on social media and in some podcasts, several people talk about the benefits of using them; in addition, elite athletes like tennis player Carlos Alcaraz have used them on occasion.

ENT doctor Christian Calvo explains that, although its effectiveness has been proven, for example, for sleeping, before using it, it would be advisable to have a professional diagnose to determine if there is a problem with the nasal valve. "The nose starts from where we see it, but it practically goes all the way to the neck. So, many things can happen there. If the problem is on the sides of the nose, this treatment can help. But from the start, we are designed for our nose to function without having to put anything in it," he explains.

This expert, who is a member of the Rhinology, Allergology, and Anterior Skull Base Commission of the Spanish Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery ( SEORL-CCC ), emphasizes the importance of diagnosing whether or not nasal obstruction exists. Once you know you have it, you should rule out other types of pathologies such as allergic rhinitis , polyps , or adenoids . "No matter how many dilators you use, the entire inside of your nose will be congested by the allergy, and this won't help," he insists.

If it's determined that the problem is narrow nasal passages , a professional must decide on the most appropriate treatment . "We explain to people that there are options that involve surgery; some don't want it and ask for less aggressive options. That's when we use these strips," he clarifies. The patient's own characteristics must also be taken into account : if an older person comes in and they know the problem is a collapsed side of the nose, they don't operate and offer that option. However, for a 30-year-old with a deviated septum, they do, because "it's a shame they're sticking things up their nose," when other options exist.

Why are nasal strips used in sports?

There are not only adhesive nasal strips, but also other options such as silicone dilators or others based on a type of sticker and magnets that, in principle, make breathing easier.

Furthermore, these tools are sometimes used during physical activity . "Normally, when we exercise, due to the demands placed on us, we tend to breathe orally , rather than nasally. Some research studies have shown that if we breathe through our nose after the most intense moment, we breathe more rapidly . The nose contributes certain substances to the air, warming it, humidifying it, and cleansing it. We also have molecules called nitric oxide that appear, which also help regulate vasodilation," he adds.

More and more research is emerging on this subject, although "it's still not entirely clear," as the specialist points out. Furthermore, this may be useful for elite athletes , but not so much at the amateur level. "Just because you wear a strip while playing tennis doesn't mean you're going to turn into Alcaraz . Even though you see a super athlete, that person has had many other things that have led them to where they are; it's not because they wear a strip. In the end, they'll want to sell you the idea that they wear it, but that doesn't mean we have to . Tennis players seek performance down to the millisecond," he emphasizes.

Although this doctor insists that it should be used only when necessary, if a person uses it without indication, it would not pose any risks, since, in general, "they are tolerated quite well."

"We've had some very peculiar cases where the magnet has caused what we call decubitus wounds , from standing on it for too long. I've also had a couple of cases of patients who have had a small wound inside their nose and then on the outside. But I haven't seen any serious complications, nor do I know of any other colleagues who have had them ," he says.