WoodyKnows Ultra-Breathable Nasal Filters, Seasonal and dust Allergies aid (Trial, Round, S/M/L/XL)

I'm happily writing an upgrade to my previous review. Initially I got the IIIS which didn't quite fit and allowed quite a bit movement in my nose - it just wouldn't stay in place. I contacted the company (after a few false starts) and Woody was extremely helpful in helping me find a better fit. He actually sent me several different ones to try including his new style which did the trick!! I have been wearing them for the past several days which have been high to very high pollen and they really, really helped! My allergies typically trigger an asthma attack on days like this and NO BREATHING PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER!!!A few caveats to keep in mind:1. FIT: If you nostrils are irregular (like mine) finding a good fit may be a matter of trial and error. In my case my nares are slotted and slightly rounded as well as being somewhat irregular in shape. Although these filters fit most noses they might not be a perfect fit for everyone - still they help tremendously compared to not wearing a filter at all! If you are having problems don't hesitate to contact the company via their website (email contact only), despite the time and distance Woody will get right back to you and will work with you to find the right filter.2. ADJUSTMENT: A period of adjustment may be necessary. Initially my nose thought something was stuck inside it (well it was actually but it was deliberate in this case) my nose reacted by watering and my eyes teared a bit. I just kept a tissue handy and it stopped after a little while. Also, the inside of my nose got a bit sore at first - I just took it out when it was uncomfortable and tried again the next day. This is a little like getting used to contact lenses, you have to build up your wearing time or your eyes get somewhat irritated. Just keep at it and increase your time each day.3. TIME: Give the filters time to work. If you have bad allergies (like me) and your body is already in distress and reacting then it will take a several days of wearing the filters before you begin see the full benefits. You can't just stick them in your nose and expect it to work wonders immediately. They do help but the full benefit comes from wearing them consistently. Having said that I really put them to the test: I have terrible, terrible allergies: dander, dust, pollen, mold, you name it (indoor and out) after wearing the filters for a couple of days I washed all the dog bedding, vacuumed and dusted the house and went outside to walk the dog and play with the kids all on a high pollen day: these are things I haven't been able to do for over 2 years without experiencing an asthma attack and I had NO BREATHING PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER! Itchy eyes, yes but there are plenty of over the counter eye drops to take care of that.4. PERSEVERE: Don't give up! This is a quality of life issue and severe allergies can make life truly miserable. Woody's filters are an important part of managing your allergies. I also use Allersearch products (laundry detergent, ADMS allergen spray, allergen pet shampoo)as well as air purifiers. It takes time but creating a weekly routine and sticking with it gave me my life back - now I have energy to work and play like I used to. Living with severe allergies is time consuming but worth the effort if it helps you to feel good again. Previously I was having severe breathing problems and asthma attacks were interfering with living a normal life - Managing the allergy triggers means I can live a (somewhat) normal life again. Woody's Knows filters are an integral part of allowing me to function normally.5. REACTIONS: Ignore the odd looks people may give you. The filter is fairly unobtrusive but people do look at me funny from time to time. I tell everyone who asks I have a new nose ring - my kids friends are the ones who look at me the strangest but they're 4 and 5 years old. Who cares what people think if you feel good again and can breathe! I'm actually thinking of painting the little piece of plastic in the center gold or maybe Woody could make them with different designs... hmmm... new business idea maybe? All joking aside, I just tell people I have allergies and asthma and am wearing a nasal filter. Most people get it right away though I probably wouldn't wear it to a job interview.Couple these facts with the incredible customer service you get makes these filters a real lifesaver! Here's a company that really cares and is willing to work with customers to help them find the right product for their needs. Thank you for this amazing product - it has made a huge difference in my life and in my family's life - when mom is happy everyone is happy!

I thought my allergies were bad, but they are nothing compared to how much this product made me have an immediately runny nose, sneezing the entire time I'm wearing them and even though they are soft and fit in easily, that doesn't matter if they are so ticklish and irritating.The real kicker, even though these didn't work at all, even to the point of making me feel worse, there's no option for a refund like there is on most Amazon products.

Well, it’s a terrific idea, especially with coronavirus! But they do fall out, and I’m not sure how tight the seal is. This might be good in conjunction with a regular fabric mask, too. But there needs to be a larger flange around the filter so it can accommodate different nostril sizes. Mine aren’t even that wide, so if it falls out for me... well, it definitely needs more adjustability. Maybe even an inflatable rim? Blow in a little tube until the filters are secure in your nose, and when you pull it out, it seals? It would be great if you could do that more than once, too...

This is a completely revised review of the product.First, be warned the fitting process is crucial. I gave this product 1 star in my first review because it was so frustrating. I suspect this occurred because my nostril shape is somewhat atypical. Following the standard measurement procedure led straight to the wrong sizes.However, after I posted my review, Woody contacted me and walked me through the fitting again. It turns out the company has just come out with an improved version of this product which should fit better.Other customer service notes: product description was corrected rapidly after I spotted a small error.I just receive the new versions two days ago. So first impressions:The improved version does fit much better. Each size should work with more variations in shape and size. If I follow the fitting instructions, the correct filter size is still not optimal for me but I think contacting customer service is the right step. Also, buy multiple trial packs to check your size.Fitting: I ended up choosing one size larger than the expected size. Really, it should work but I was having trouble poking the correct size deeply enough for proper position.(Customer Service Update April 26, 2013): After I posted this review, Woody got back to me immediately and sent a second filter in my size. I'd originally purchased two filters. Now that's customer service when they respond faster than you do. Too bad there are only 5 stars!Comfort: I notice the filter is present. It is not uncomfortable.Air flow: There is some drag but nothing like having a stuffy nose. It gets easier after an hour as you learn to tolerate this.Cosmetic: Yes, there is a small plastic loop between your nostrils. It bothered me at first but then nose piercings bother me much more and I decided to ignore this.Function: Too bad the worse of the California pollen season has already passed. We'll see what happens when the summer smog hits. (Update: April 26, 2013) For the rest, here is an early evaluation.At first, I kept poking the sensitive membranes in the nostril and things started watering aborting that insertion attempt. After about 2-3 days of use, I've gotten the hang of inserting the filters on the first try.For me, even with allergy medications, I need to blow my nose about 3-4 times per hour. With the filters, I need to do this every 2-3 hours plus it helps greatly with post-nasal drip. Since I'm allergic to dust mites, pollen and mold, the best method is 1) wash hands and face, 2) use a sinus rinse then drain sinuses (very important to drain!) and 3) insert nose filters. I sure hope the filters are durable enough to last a month with multiple daily insertions.So on the cost savings side, I don't have to spend so much on tissues. And I can replace the public embarrassment and lack of hygiene associated with blowing my nose with a small plastic loop instead.(Filters not yet tested on animal dander, cigarette smoke, etc... but I'm expected positive results)I've decided to continue antihistamine use. You never know.Convenience: Cleaning is easy.Inconvenience: must remove and clean if you need to blow your nose.Cost: It's more expensive than the run of the mill antihistamine (generic claritin, zyrtec) but I get very dried out using these medications. As a result, I end up drinking a lot of water at night and waking up frequently. Good sleep is worth the extra cost.Warning: Very easy to lose the smaller sizes down the drain/toilet just like a pair of contacts.Summary: If you suffer from exposure to large clouds of irritants (lots of dust, pet dander, heavy pollutants) this filter is well worth a try. Don't skimp on the fitting step.