Tested: Breathing Through Missouri’s Nightmare Allergy Season

Guys, I don't mind being the resident "tester" of stuff here at the stations. Particularly when it comes to allergy season. I even wrote about it a while ago. This year is quite possibly the worst year for Missouri allergies in decades.

And while I do the stuff you're supposed to, I still deal with almost constant sneezing, a running nose, you name it. Like if I'm inside, it still gets to me. While I can clean and keep my areas dust free at work, it doesn't stop it 100% for me. I might just be one of those people with a very stubborn immune system. I mean, with the MS thing my immune system is pretty much angry at me all the time. So it might not be too odd to think that I'm an unusual case, I guess.

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I've tried Zyzal, Zyrtec, Alavert, Allegra, Claritin, Flonase, Nasonex, Benadryl, Astepro.... and those are just the ones I can remember.  They all work for a while, and then they just.... stop.  So then the Doc tries to have you do a combination of meds.  That also works for a while.  Then, we're back to feeling your nose run while you're driving to work.

So I tried all sorts of other, non medicated options.  This one is just the latest.

I'm not getting paid for this, by the way, this is just my experience.

Okay, So What Are You Trying This Time?

Boom Boom Nasal Sticks.

Yeah, I know, the commercial is odd. But, it said it could help me breathe... differently?  Okay.  So I bought these online (from a retailer that sounds like it's from South America), and they were about twenty bucks.  So five bucks a tube.

These come in four different scents, mint, winter mint, tropical, and lavender.   But you can buy them in just one flavor if you want.

Basically the idea is you open it, put it next to your nostril, and breathe in.  It uses menthol and some essential oils, and it's supposed to help you breathe better.

So Does It Work?

Yes and no. When I first tried them, I tried the mint scent.  The only reaction I had was to repeatedly murmur "Oh my God".  It was shocking, and honestly, felt really nice.  And I did feel like I could breathe easier. 

They're about the size of a Chapstick.  They're supposed to last about three months.

It's pretty simple. You just open it, sniff, and there you go.

So Is It Safe to Use?

They say it is, of course.  I read a bit about the menthol, and what it does to your sinuses.  Basically, the menthol stimulates the nerves in your nose, telling your brain that you're breathing great.  But it doesn't actually stop anything from happening - it doesn't actually decongest your nose.  Which is why you can buy it over the counter- there's nothing 'medicine' in it.  It doesn't cure anything. It just tricks your brain into thinking everything's fine.  Which manifests as your nose ALSO thinking everything's fine. 

So this doesn't fix it, but it does make it more tolerable.  And it does feel nice.  I know it's not actually doing much, but I feel like I can breathe easier after I use one.  I bet it'll be something I keep around but don't use unless I really need it.  The menthol and the essential oils aren't BAD for you per se, but they're not something you should use constantly.  A few times a day won't hurt anything, though.

I mean, heck.  I don't care if it doesn't necessarily fix it, as long as it FEELS like it's fixed.  Does that make sense?

What are some of the things you're doing to get through Missouri Allergy Season? Would you try the Boom Boom sticks, or do you do something else?

Mentholly yours,
Behka