What Nasal Strips Help With a Deviated Septum? The Best Strips, Compared
Which nasal strips help a deviated septum? We explain where the blockage really sits, a 30-second self-test, and compare the best nasal strips for a deviated septum in Australia. Force Tape leads.
Nasal strips can help a deviated septum when the blockage sits at the external nasal valve — the soft cartilage just inside the nostril — which is the case for most mild-to-moderate symptoms. An external spring strip pulls those valve walls open and makes breathing easier. What a strip cannot do is physically straighten the septum or replace surgery for severe deviation. The best strip for the job is a strong one that stays put: Force Tape Airflow+ opens the passages up to 50% wider and holds all night thanks to its sweat-proof ForceLock™ adhesive.
Where the blockage usually sits
Here's the fact that changes how you think about this: roughly 80% of adults have some degree of septal deviation, yet most never notice it. The septum — the wall of cartilage and bone dividing your two nasal passages — is rarely perfectly straight. Deviation only becomes a problem when it narrows your airflow enough to feel it.
And for a large share of people with symptoms, the tightest point isn't deep in the nose where the septum bends — it's right at the front, at the external nasal valve: the soft, flexible cartilage just inside each nostril. When that valve is narrow or collapses inward as you breathe in, you feel blocked even if the deeper septum is only mildly deviated. This is the exact spot an external nasal strip acts on, which is why strips help far more people than the word "septum" suggests.
A 30-second at-home self-test
Stand in front of a mirror. With a clean fingertip, gently press the cheek beside one nostril and pull it outward — slightly opening that nostril. Breathe in. If breathing suddenly feels noticeably easier on that side, your obstruction is valve-dominant — the type an external nasal strip is designed to relieve. If pulling the nostril open makes little difference, your blockage likely sits deeper (septum, turbinates or polyps), and a strip will help less. This is our 10-second pinch test (clinicians call it the Cottle manoeuvre), and it's the quickest way to predict whether strips will work for you.
What nasal strips can and can't do for a deviated septum
What a nasal strip can do:
- Widen the external nasal valve and lower airflow resistance on the narrowed side
- Make nose breathing noticeably easier when your obstruction is valve-dominant
- Reduce mouth breathing, dry mouth and some snoring caused by nasal congestion
- Give drug-free relief for sleep, exercise and allergy flare-ups — no sprays, no side effects
What a nasal strip can't do:
- Physically straighten deviated cartilage or bone — it lifts the outside, it doesn't reshape the inside
- Relieve a blockage caused by polyps, swollen turbinates, or deviation far back in the nose
- Replace septoplasty for severe, structural obstruction
Put simply: a strip treats the symptom at the valve, not the structure of the septum. For most people with mild-to-moderate, valve-dominant blockage, that symptom relief is exactly what they were after.
Best nasal strips for a deviated septum in Australia, compared
For a deviated septum, two things matter more than usual: lift strength (a stronger spring pulls a narrow valve open further) and all-night hold (you want it working while you sleep). Here's how the options compare — Force Tape leads on both.
| Nasal strip | How it helps a deviated septum | Price (AU, 30-pack) | Cost per strip | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Force Tape Airflow+ Best overall | Strongest external lift — opens valve up to 50% wider; all-night ForceLock™ hold | $35 | ~$1.17 (or ~$0.58 on a 6-pack subscription) | Valve-dominant blockage — sport, sleep & recovery |
| GOAT Nose Strips | Firm external lift; latex-free; Australian all-rounder | $35 | ~$1.17 | General sleep & sport use |
| Breatheeze | Spring band + fabric lining; athlete-focused external lift | ~$33 | ~$1.11 | Value-minded nightly users |
| RhinoGear | Triple-spring external lift; budget; sleep-led | $24.99 | ~$0.83 | Cost-focused users |
| Breathe Right Extra Strength | Gentler plastic-band lift; familiar chemist name | $43.99 | ~$1.47 | Occasional users who want a chemist brand |
| Respire | Comfortable external lift; sleep-oriented | $35 | ~$1.17 | Sleep-focused users |
Competitor prices are indicative 30-pack RRPs, checked August 2026, and vary by retailer and sale. Force Tape drops to $0.99/strip (3-pack), $0.70/strip (6-pack) and $0.58/strip on a 6-pack subscription.
Why Force Tape tops the list
For valve-dominant obstruction you want the strongest, most comfortable lift you can wear all night. Force Tape's ultra-strength spring band opens the nasal passages up to 50% wider, and the ForceLock™ medical-grade adhesive holds through a full night's sleep instead of curling off. Built on breathable satin fabric and free from plastic and latex, it's gentle enough for nightly use on sensitive skin.
When to see an ENT about septoplasty
Strips are a first-line, drug-free option — not a diagnosis. Book a GP or ENT review if: your self-test showed no improvement when you opened the nostril; you're blocked on one side constantly, day and night, for weeks; you get recurrent sinus infections or nosebleeds; or your breathing disrupts sleep or exercise despite trying strips. For severe, structural deviation, septoplasty — a procedure to straighten the septum — is the definitive fix, and an ENT can tell you whether your blockage is the kind surgery actually helps.
A sensible sequence for most people: try a strong external strip for a couple of weeks, use the self-test to set expectations, and escalate to an ENT if the strip doesn't move the needle. Many people also add mouth tape at night to stop the mouth-breathing that a blocked nose forces.
Breathe easier tonight — drug-free
Force Tape Airflow+ delivers the strongest lift on this list and holds all night, so a valve-dominant deviated septum feels clearer without sprays or surgery.
Shop Nasal StripsShop all Force TapeFrequently asked questions
Can a nasal strip fix a deviated septum?
No — a nasal strip can't straighten the septum itself. What it can do is open the external nasal valve at the front of the nose and relieve the symptom of blockage, which for most people with mild-to-moderate, valve-dominant deviation is enough to breathe noticeably easier. Only surgery (septoplasty) corrects the underlying structure.
How do I know if nasal strips will work for my septum?
Use the 30-second self-test: gently pull the cheek beside one nostril outward and breathe in. If breathing gets easier, your obstruction is valve-dominant and strips are likely to help. If it makes little difference, the blockage sits deeper and a strip will do less — that's your cue to see an ENT.
Which nasal strip is strongest for a deviated septum?
Lift strength is what matters for a narrow valve. Force Tape Airflow+ offers the strongest spring lift on our list — opening the passages up to 50% wider — plus an all-night sweat-proof hold, which is why it's our top pick for deviated-septum relief.
Are nasal strips a substitute for septoplasty?
No. For severe structural deviation, septoplasty is the definitive treatment and strips are not a replacement. Strips are a low-cost, drug-free option to try first for milder symptoms, and a useful long-term aid for people whose deviation is valve-dominant.
Can I use nasal strips every night long-term?
Yes. Nasal strips are designed for nightly use. Choose a strip that's gentle on skin — Force Tape is latex-free, medical-grade and skin-safe — and remove it gently to avoid irritation over time.
Will internal dilators work better than external strips?
Sometimes. If your collapse is right at the nostril rim, an internal nasal dilator may open it more directly. Many people still prefer external strips for comfort and ease. If strips give you limited relief, an internal dilator is a reasonable next thing to trial.