Opening the nasal valve with external dilators reduces congestive symptoms in normal subjects.

BACKGROUND: We examined whether the use of two different external nasal dilator devices influenced the size of the nasal valve area and symptoms of nasal congestion.

METHODS: This was a randomized blind-allocation, open three-way crossover study of Breathe Right, Side Strip Nasal Dilators, and placebo. We studied 12 healthy subjects (10 female, 2 male; age range 26-56 years). Measures of total volume and total minimum cross-sectional area were collected. Subjective symptoms were collected using a visual analog scale and an ordinal scale.

RESULTS: With both products, there was significant increase in the size of the minimum cross-sectional area compared to placebo, p = 0.004. This is supported by the decrease in the subjective reports of congestion; on the visual analog scale, compared to placebo p = 0.012 and the ordinal scale, compared to placebo, p = 0.004.

CONCLUSION: Both devices significantly increase the size of the nasal valve area and reduce congestion in normal subjects.