Can children use nasal strips?

Yes, children over 5 can use nasal strips. Breathe Right says its strips are safe for kids over 5, suggests the small/medium size for a child's face, and recommends that a parent help put the strip on and take it off. If your child snores or breathes through their mouth most nights, a strip can ease a stuffy nose, but it's worth having a pediatrician look for the cause.

What does the manufacturer say about kids and nasal strips?

Breathe Right is the most widely studied strip, and its guidance is clear. Its FAQ says the strips are safe for adults and children over the age of 5, and that any child under 5 should not use them. It no longer makes a strip designed only for children. Instead, it suggests the small/medium size, which it says best fits a child's face.

The same rules that apply to adults apply to kids. Breathe Right says not to use a strip over sores, sunburned or irritated skin, and not to use one if your child has a latex allergy, because the package is sealed with natural rubber latex. Each strip is single use and shouldn't be worn for more than 12 hours a day.

If you're using another brand, read its box. Age guidance can differ between products, and the manufacturer's label is the one to follow. Check the expiration date too; Breathe Right prints one on the outer box of every strip product.

Do nasal strips work for children?

Nasal strips look promising for children, and while there's less research in children than in adults, what exists is encouraging. A 2015 study tested pediatric strips in 30 healthy children and 26 children with nasal congestion from allergic rhinitis. The strips significantly improved peak nasal inspiratory flow, a measure of how easily air moves in through the nose, in both groups while seated. The children said their nose felt less blocked both sitting up and lying down, and the strips were well tolerated.

An older 1999 study had 54 healthy children, ages roughly 6 to 16, breathe hard through the nose with and without a Breathe Right strip. Inspiratory flow went up with the strip on. The authors also noted that congestion from a cold may hit small children harder because their nasal passages are small.

A 2014 study looked at 76 children with a deviated septum. Parents of the 48 who had used an external nasal dilator for at least a month filled in a sleep-related questionnaire. Their scores were better than those of the untreated group while the children were using the dilators, and the gap disappeared after two weeks without them. The authors suggested dilators could help children who aren't candidates for septum surgery.

A 2014 review of external nasal dilators described them as simple, noninvasive and low risk. It also pointed out that most studies are small and that more research in children and teenagers is needed. That's a fair summary. The signs are good, and the evidence base is still small.

How do you put a nasal strip on a child?

Putting a nasal strip on a child follows the same steps as for an adult, with a parent doing most of the work for younger kids. Breathe Right's instructions are:

1. Wash and dry your child's nose. The adhesive won't stick to wet, oily or moisturized skin.
2. Use the small/medium size. Don't cut a larger strip to fit, because Breathe Right says cutting it can stop it working.
3. Place it right above where the nose flares out and rub gently to secure it.
4. In the morning, wash the face with warm water for about 10 seconds, then lift each side slowly. Bath or shower time works well for this.

Let your child try it during the day first, so it isn't a surprise at bedtime. A short practice while reading or watching something lets them feel the strip working before they sleep in it. Our guide on how to apply nasal strips has more detail on placement.

Check the skin when the strip comes off. Breathe Right lists redness, irritation, peeling and rash among possible reactions and says to stop using the strips if they happen. Nasal strip skin irritation covers gentle removal.

When does a child's snoring need a doctor?

A child's snoring needs a doctor when it happens often or comes with signs of sleep apnea, because a strip only helps with the front of the nose. Many children who snore have a blockage somewhere else, and that's where a pediatrician comes in.

The American Academy of Pediatrics lists frequent snoring, problems breathing during the night, daytime sleepiness, trouble paying attention and behavior problems as possible signs of sleep apnea in children. It says to let your pediatrician know right away if you notice them. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute adds mouth breathing, breathing that starts and stops, waking often and bedwetting to the nighttime signs, and says sleep apnea in children is most common between ages 2 and 8.

In children, obstructive sleep apnea is often caused by large tonsils or adenoids, according to the NHLBI. The AAP says removing them is the most common and effective treatment. A nasal strip won't shrink tonsils, so it isn't a substitute for an exam. Snoring in children and mouth breathing in children go into the causes and what a doctor will check.

Strips are a good fit for a child whose nose is the obvious problem, such as a cold or allergy season, when they still sleep well and wake rested. They make less sense as a nightly fix for snoring that nobody has looked into.

What about mouth tape for kids?

Mouth tape isn't for children. Nasal strips leave the mouth free to open, which is part of why they suit kids better. Mouth tape for kids explains why the advice is different for children.

If you use mouth tape yourself, keep the two routines separate. A child can wear a strip at bedtime while the tape stays an adult-only habit.

Can teenagers use nasal strips for sports?

Yes, teenagers can use nasal strips for sports, and the same age guidance applies on the field as in bed. Breathe Right recommends the large size for adults and the small/medium size for smaller faces, so many teens will fit the large size. Pick whichever reaches the sides of the nose without running onto the cheeks.

The other rules carry over unchanged. Breathe Right says each strip is single use, shouldn't be worn for more than 12 hours a day, and should come off slowly after the skin has been wet with warm water. Teens can usually manage this themselves, though it's worth showing them the slow removal method once so they don't rip the strip off on the way out the door.

Read next

• How nasal strips work, and when they help most
• Snoring in children
• Nasal strips for allergies

* This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or health condition. Talk to a qualified healthcare provider about your health.