Can You Shower or Swim With Nasal Strips On?

This is one of the most common practical questions athletes ask about nasal strips — and the honest answer depends on the activity, the duration, and your expectations for the strip afterwards.

Showering With Nasal Strips

A quick shower (5-10 minutes) with a nasal strip in place is generally fine. The steam and brief water contact will not immediately destroy the adhesive. However, extended hot showers — especially with the strip directly under the water stream — will soften the adhesive and likely cause the strip to lose its bond. If you want to shower with a strip, keep it out of the direct water stream and keep the shower brief. Remove the strip before a long shower or bath.

Swimming With Nasal Strips

Full submersion in a pool or open water will cause most nasal strips — including HiStrips — to lose their adhesive bond. The combination of water pressure, chlorine (which can degrade adhesive chemistry), and the mechanical agitation of swimming strokes makes extended underwater submersion incompatible with standard adhesive nasal strips. HiStrips are designed for sweat and heat, not water immersion.

Strategic Use Around Water

For athletes who want nasal strip support around water activities: apply HiStrips before poolside warm-up or stretching, remove before entering the water for swimming, and reapply after swimming if continuing land-based training. For open water swimming, apply the strip before the start and expect it to be compromised once you are in the water for extended periods.

The Honest Answer

Nasal strips are not designed for submersion — and no adhesive strip on the market will reliably survive prolonged underwater use. For athletes who want consistent nasal breathing support, HiStrips are the best option for all non-water athletic activities. For swimming specifically, a different approach — nasal breathing practice on deck — is more appropriate than relying on strip adhesion in the water.