Alarming addiction risk facing young people prompts unlikely craze for NASAL STRIPS

The humble nose strip has become an unlikely must-have fashion accessory for Generation Z, but their rise in popularity could be a response to the devastation of people becoming addicted to decongestant medications.

There has been a frenzy on Instagram and Tiktok over brightly colored bathroom vanity variations, after image-conscious influencers touted their benefits.

Young trendsetters say nasal strips can improve athletic performance, relieve congestion, address allergy symptoms, improve sleep quality and prevent snoring.

“For the girls who are sick in the winter and play sports… Use a nasal strip,” TikToker Molly Mas said in a video.

But the buzz around the quirky accessory has also drawn attention to alarming warnings from doctors about the risks of addiction to over-the-counter nasal sprays.

Nasal sprays, which are often used to treat conditions such as allergies and congestion, may contain medications such as oxymetazoline and xylometazoline. The products, used by millions of people in the US, are not harmful if used for 3 to 5 days in a row.

However, doctors say some people become addicted to the treatment.

“Some people have to use them every hour,” popular TikToker doctor Sooj recently warned.

Generation Z trendsetters say nasal strips can improve athletic performance, stop congestion, address allergy symptoms, improve sleep quality and prevent snoring

The buzz around the quirky accessory has also drawn attention to alarming warnings from doctors about the risks of addiction to over-the-counter nasal sprays.

“Going cold turkey would probably be horrible. It will be very difficult and terrible. It can lead to months or even a year of nothing but misery.”

Ohio resident Robin Burgensen explained Medical news today the impact the nasal spray addiction had on her life.

‘I have been addicted to various nasal sprays all my life. They start working at first, but then I need more and more to keep it working,” she said.

“I ended up getting nosebleeds and my doctor told me to get off the nasal sprays.”

In addition to nosebleeds, withdrawal symptoms or side effects of nasal spray addiction include headaches, sleep disturbances, and anxiety.

The entrepreneur Shota Shermadini founded Stripedone of the companies behind the funky nasal strip trend, in an effort to make this healthy alternative to sprays a little sexier.

‘I’ve dealt with allergies all my life and the struggle to breathe easily is all too real. I wanted to create a product that not only works, but also makes you feel good when you wear it,” he told DailyMail.com.

‘Strippy is my solution to a problem that I know millions face every day. It’s more than a product for me: it’s a mission to help others breathe better and feel better, with a touch of personality. Generation Z doesn’t settle for ordinary, and neither do we.’

Entrepreneur Shota Shermadini started selling quirky colored nose strips after she suffered from allergies. He hopes they offer a nice alternative to sprays

“It’s been a very rewarding experience to see how something that started as a personal solution grew into a product that really helps others,” he said.

The trend for quirky nose strips comes after brightly colored ‘pimple patches’ took the market by storm in 2024.

The patches took off after becoming a favorite of A-list celebrities, including celebrities like Hailey Bieber, Addison Rae and Florence Pugh.

“Every time I turn around, I see strangers wearing them as they carefully select their groceries, pick up a new shirt at the mall, or just walk down the street,” Tiffany Dodson wrote in Harper’s Bazaar.