Do Nasal Strips Work for Asthma or Exercise-Induced Breathing Issues?

This is one of the most important questions in the nasal strip space — and one that requires a careful, honest answer. Getting this wrong can have consequences for athletes with genuine respiratory conditions.

What Asthma and EIA Actually Are

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the lower airways, characterised by bronchial hyperresponsiveness and reversible airway obstruction. Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB, also called EIA) is airway narrowing that occurs specifically during or after exercise. Both involve the lower airways — the bronchi and bronchioles — not the nasal passages where nasal strips work.

What Nasal Strips Cannot Do

Nasal strips are external devices that open the nasal valve. They have no effect on bronchial smooth muscle, airway inflammation, or lower airway calibre. If your breathing difficulty during exercise is caused by asthma or EIB — which it frequently is in athletes with these conditions — nasal strips do not address it. Using strips instead of proper asthma management is dangerous.

Where Nasal Strips Can Help Asthmatic Athletes

For asthmatic athletes who are already properly managed (on appropriate medication, inhalers, or other treatment as prescribed by their physician), nasal strips can be a complementary support tool. If these athletes also have a narrow nasal valve contributing to airway resistance, strips can reduce overall respiratory effort — making breathing feel slightly easier during exercise. But this is a complement to asthma treatment, not a substitute for it.

The Critical Rule

If you suspect you have asthma or EIB — frequent wheezing, chest tightness, coughing during or after exercise — do not self-diagnose and do not treat with nasal strips. Get a proper respiratory assessment. Once your asthma is diagnosed and properly managed under medical supervision, ask your physician whether nasal strips could be a useful complementary tool for you. HiStrips are safe to use alongside proper asthma management when your doctor approves.