AQUACEL NON ADHESIVE FOAM

A reliable non adhesive foam dressing for exudate management, available in a broad range of sizes, meets a consistent clinical need across a wide variety of wound types and locations. AQUACEL Non Adhesive Foam is a polyurethane foam wound dressing from Convatec within the AQUACEL product family. It is a straightforward foam pad, absorbent, non-adherent to the wound surface, and secured with a secondary fixation product of clinical choice. It contains no CMC hydrofiber wound contact layer, no silver, and no antimicrobial agents. Available in six sizes from 5cm x 5cm to 20cm x 20cm. No prescription is required.

AQUACEL Non Adhesive Foam is a regulated Class IIb medical device from Convatec. It is a polyurethane foam dressing within the AQUACEL range. Unlike several other AQUACEL products, it does not include a CMC hydrofiber wound contact layer. It is a foam-only construction: a polyurethane foam pad with a non-adherent wound contact surface, no integrated adhesive border, and no active agents of any kind.

Understanding its position within the AQUACEL range helps with product selection. AQUACEL Foam Dressing has a CMC hydrofiber wound contact layer beneath a foam absorbent layer, combining the vertical wicking and cohesive gel properties of CMC hydrofiber with foam absorbency. AQUACEL Non Adhesive Foam is a straightforward foam pad without the CMC hydrofiber component. It provides effective exudate absorption through the foam structure alone, with a non-adherent wound contact surface.

The absence of both a CMC hydrofiber layer and an adhesive border makes AQUACEL Non Adhesive Foam the simplest and most accessible product in the AQUACEL foam range. It is suited to moderately to heavily exuding clean wounds where standard foam absorbency is the clinical priority, no CMC hydrofiber properties are specifically indicated, no adhesive is appropriate, and infection management is not needed. Secondary fixation is always required.

AQUACEL Non Adhesive Foam is available in six sizes: 5cm x 5cm, 10cm x 10cm, 10cm x 20cm, 15cm x 15cm, 15cm x 20cm, and 20cm x 20cm. This range of sizes, including both square and rectangular formats and sizes up to 20cm x 20cm, provides flexibility for a range of wound dimensions across clinical and home use settings.

AQUACEL Non Adhesive Foam has no adhesive border and must be secured with a secondary fixation product. It contains no CMC hydrofiber wound contact layer and no antimicrobial agents. If the wound shows signs of infection, seek clinical assessment. For wounds where CMC hydrofiber vertical wicking and cohesive gel properties are clinically indicated, AQUACEL Foam Dressing is the appropriate product within this foam family.

Foam Exudate Absorption

The polyurethane foam structure absorbs wound exudate through the wound contact surface and retains it within the foam body. This prevents pooling of exudate at the wound bed, which can macerate the wound surface and periwound skin. The foam holds absorbed fluid away from the wound, maintaining a moist healing environment at the wound surface while managing excess exudate within the pad structure.

Non Adherent Wound Contact Surface

The wound contact surface of AQUACEL Non Adhesive Foam is non-adherent to the wound bed. This means the dressing does not bond to moist wound tissue, allowing it to be removed without pulling on the wound surface or disrupting the wound bed. Atraumatic removal reduces pain at dressing changes and helps preserve granulation tissue and new epithelium forming at the wound surface. Unlike AQUACEL Foam Dressing, the wound contact surface here is a standard non-adherent foam layer rather than a CMC hydrofiber layer.

Moist Wound Healing

By absorbing excess exudate while retaining the moisture needed for the wound surface through the non-adherent foam contact layer, AQUACEL Non Adhesive Foam supports a moist wound healing environment. This is the fundamental clinical goal of a primary foam dressing: sufficient exudate absorption to prevent maceration while maintaining sufficient moisture to support cell migration and the natural healing process.

Fixation Flexibility

Because AQUACEL Non Adhesive Foam has no integrated border, the fixation method is selected based on the wound location and clinical requirements. For venous leg ulcers, the compression bandage provides both compression and fixation over the foam pad. For other wound locations, a tubular retention bandage, cohesive bandage, or wound retention sheet holds the dressing in place. This flexibility allows the dressing to be used across a broad range of wound locations without the constraints of a fixed adhesive border.

Before Application

• Wash hands and use appropriate gloves.
• Clean the wound with sterile saline or as directed by a healthcare professional.
• Gently dry the surrounding skin.
• Select an appropriate secondary fixation product before applying the dressing.

Application

• Select the appropriate size: 5cm x 5cm, 10cm x 10cm, 10cm x 20cm, 15cm x 15cm, 15cm x 20cm, or 20cm x 20cm. Ensure the foam pad covers the wound bed with a margin beyond the wound edges.
• Place the dressing over the wound with the non adherent contact surface facing the wound bed.
• Apply the secondary fixation product over the dressing to hold it in position. Ensure coverage of the full perimeter to prevent shifting.
• For venous leg ulcers, apply the compression bandage over the dressing.
• Label with the date and time of application.

Removal

• Remove the secondary fixation product first.
• Lift the foam pad from the wound surface. The non adherent contact surface should release without significant trauma to the wound bed.
• If the dressing has dried slightly onto the wound surface, moisten with sterile saline before removal.
• Assess the wound at each change and review whether AQUACEL Non Adhesive Foam remains appropriate.

AQUACEL Non Adhesive Foam 5cm x 5cm

The smallest size, suitable for small wounds, digit wounds, and localised wound sites. The compact square format provides coverage for wounds of limited dimensions.

AQUACEL Non Adhesive Foam 10cm x 10cm

A versatile medium-small square size suitable for moderate-sized wounds across a range of body locations including pressure ulcers, smaller venous leg ulcer areas, and post-operative wounds.

AQUACEL Non Adhesive Foam 10cm x 20cm

A rectangular format suitable for elongated wounds, lower limb wound areas, and longer wound sites where a rectangular dressing provides better coverage than a square. Useful for venous leg ulcers where a 10cm width placed under compression bandaging provides consistent coverage along the wound length.

AQUACEL Non Adhesive Foam 15cm x 15cm

A medium-large square suitable for moderate to large wound areas including larger pressure ulcers and venous leg ulcers. Provides broader foam coverage for wounds requiring a larger primary dressing pad.

AQUACEL Non Adhesive Foam 15cm x 20cm

A larger rectangular format suitable for extended wound areas and wound sites where a rectangular shape provides better coverage than a square. One of the larger sizes in the range, suited to wounds requiring both length and width coverage.

AQUACEL Non Adhesive Foam 20cm x 20cm

The largest size, providing the broadest foam coverage for extensive wound areas including large pressure ulcers and significant chronic wound areas. Suitable for clinical settings or for patients managing large wounds under clinical supervision. Can be cut to fit with sterile scissors if needed.

When selecting a size, ensure the foam pad covers the entire wound bed with a margin beyond the wound edges.

Do Not Use AQUACEL Non Adhesive Foam If

• The patient has a known allergy or hypersensitivity to polyurethane foam or any component of the dressing.
• The wound is infected. AQUACEL Non Adhesive Foam contains no antimicrobial agents.
• The wound is dry or minimally exuding. An absorbent foam on a dry wound may desiccate the wound surface.

Precautions

• Single use product. Do not reuse or reapply.
• Ensure adequate secondary fixation. A dressing that moves on the wound surface can cause friction and delay healing.
• Do not apply secondary fixation so tightly that it restricts blood flow, particularly in patients with peripheral vascular disease or diabetes.
• Reassess at each change. If signs of infection develop, seek clinical assessment.
• Do not use MRI scanning with the dressing in place.

Adverse Effects

• Wound desiccation if exudate falls significantly. Reassess dressing choice.
• Skin sensitivity or contact irritation. Discontinue if persistent.

AQUACEL Non Adhesive Foam Is Suitable For

• Moderately to heavily exuding clean wounds where standard foam absorbency meets the clinical need and no adhesive border is appropriate
• Venous leg ulcers under compression bandaging where the foam provides exudate management and the bandage provides both compression and fixation
• Wounds where no adhesive can be applied to the periwound skin and bandage or retention fixation is preferred
• Clinical and home settings requiring a range of sizes including the larger 15cm x 20cm and 20cm x 20cm formats
• Adults and children under healthcare professional supervision

AQUACEL Foam Dressing adds a CMC hydrofiber wound contact layer beneath the foam, providing vertical wicking to protect periwound skin and cohesive gel formation for atraumatic removal. AQUACEL Non Adhesive Foam uses a standard non-adherent foam wound contact surface without CMC hydrofiber. Choose AQUACEL Foam Dressing when the CMC hydrofiber properties are clinically indicated, particularly for wounds at risk of periwound maceration or where atraumatic CMC gel removal is a priority. Choose AQUACEL Non Adhesive Foam when standard foam absorbency is sufficient and the added CMC hydrofiber layer is not specifically needed.

AQUACEL Non Adhesive Foam is a regulated medical device and does not require a prescription. It can be purchased directly through Pharmacy Planet without a clinical consultation. It is available in six sizes: 5cm x 5cm, 10cm x 10cm, 10cm x 20cm, 15cm x 15cm, 15cm x 20cm, and 20cm x 20cm.

Pharmacy Planet stocks AQUACEL Non Adhesive Foam alongside AQUACEL Foam Dressing, AQUACEL Foam Adhesive, and the full AQUACEL range. Our pharmacists can advise on the most appropriate foam format for a specific wound.

For complex wounds or wounds not healing as expected, seek clinical assessment from a tissue viability nurse, district nurse, or GP alongside your dressing purchase.

• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture.
• Store below 25°C.
• Keep in the original sealed packaging until immediately before use.
• Each dressing is individually sterile packed. Do not use if the packaging is damaged or compromised.
• Check the expiry date before use. Do not use after the expiry date.
• Once opened, apply immediately.
• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Dispose of used dressings as clinical waste in accordance with local guidelines.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC registered online pharmacy providing access to AQUACEL Non Adhesive Foam in all six sizes alongside the full AQUACEL foam range. All products are genuine and sourced through regulated supply chains.

Our pharmacists are available to advise on whether AQUACEL Non Adhesive Foam, AQUACEL Foam Dressing, or another AQUACEL format is most appropriate for a specific wound.

References

1. Convatec. AQUACEL Non Adhesive Foam Dressing — Instructions for Use. Convatec Ltd. https://www.convatec.com. Accessed May 2026.
2. Wounds UK. Best Practice Statement: Wound exudate — effective assessment and management. https://www.wounds-uk.com. Accessed May 2026.
3. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Wound care products — Drug Tariff prescribing and selection. https://www.nice.org.uk. Accessed May 2026.
4. NHS. Pressure sores (pressure ulcers). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pressure-sores. Accessed May 2026.