I had a good experience using nicotine patches. What worked for me might not work for everyone. I am 85.
I had Covid in 2022 and again in March of 2025 adding up to about 3 years of long Covid.
About 6 months after the first time I started getting heavy sinus infections every 8 to 10 weeks, every time needing antibiotics to prevent it from spreading to the throat and lungs. It was also affecting my hearing.
I was getting rashes on the upper chest which I teated based on my dermatologist's recommendations - a sequence of trial and error applying different prescription creams. In the meantime I was still trying to keep the sinus inflammations under control. Following covid earlier this year I consulted with a DO who suggested to use nicotine patches, starting daily with 14 mg for 6 weeks. Within one week I noticed the rashes were disappearing, and after 4 weeks I didn't get further sinus infections. I continued with 7 mg every 2-3 days.
That ordeal seems to be behind me.
Like others have experienced, the patches do irritate the skin, so I placed them every time in areas without irritation. Contrary to those who posted somewhere else that they gave up because of skin irritation or some dizziness, nausea etc, I only noticed some light unusual feelings in the first nights, but I just ignored it intent to see if it had positive results.
One long covid issue I struggle with is that I have lost most of my energies. What was not any effort 6 months ago is now more tiring or exhausting. I haven't found anything yet that helps me get my energy back. I am working on it.