BIATAIN ADHESIVE

A self-adhesive foam dressing that manages moderate to heavy wound exudate without requiring a secondary fixation product is a practical choice for many wound types and settings. Biatain Adhesive is a polyurethane foam dressing from Coloplast with an integrated adhesive border. The foam absorbs wound exudate and maintains a moist healing environment at the wound surface, while the adhesive border holds the dressing securely in place. It contains no silver, no alginate wound contact layer, and no antimicrobial agents. Available in 10cm x 10cm. No prescription is required.

Biatain Adhesive is a regulated Class IIb medical device from Coloplast. It is a self-adhesive polyurethane foam wound dressing. The dressing consists of a non-adherent wound contact surface, a hydrocellular foam absorbent core, a moisture vapour permeable film backing, and an integrated adhesive border that holds the dressing in place on intact periwound skin without a separate secondary dressing.

Biatain Adhesive is the straightforward adhesive foam option within the Biatain range. It contains no active agents. There is no alginate wound contact layer, no silver, no CMC hydrofiber, and no antimicrobial component. It is a foam dressing for clean, exuding wounds where the clinical need is exudate management, moist wound healing, and secure self-adhesion.

The Biatain range from Coloplast covers foam dressings across a range of formats and clinical needs. Biatain Adhesive is the foundational adhesive foam within the range, equivalent in its clinical role to ALLEVYN Adhesive from Smith & Nephew. Both provide polyurethane foam exudate management with an adhesive border in a self-contained format.

Biatain Adhesive is indicated for use on moderately to heavily exuding clean wounds including pressure ulcers, venous leg ulcers, post-operative wounds, and other acute and chronic wounds where self-adhesive foam is clinically appropriate and infection management is not required.

Biatain Adhesive contains no antimicrobial agents. It is not suitable for infected wounds. If the wound shows signs of infection, seek clinical assessment. Biatain Ag provides silver antimicrobial activity within the Biatain adhesive foam format for infected or at risk wounds.

Non Adherent Wound Contact Surface

The wound contact surface of Biatain Adhesive is non-adherent to the wound bed. It allows wound exudate to pass through into the foam absorbent core above while minimising bonding to wound tissue. This non-adherent surface allows the dressing to be removed without significant trauma to the wound bed, reducing pain at dressing changes and protecting granulation tissue and new epithelium forming at the wound surface.

Hydrocellular Foam Absorbent Core

The polyurethane foam core absorbs wound exudate drawn through the wound contact surface and retains it within the foam structure away from the wound. This prevents pooling of exudate at the wound bed, reduces maceration of the wound surface and periwound skin, and maintains a moist healing environment at the wound contact surface. The foam retains absorbed exudate under light compression, reducing the risk of fluid being returned to the wound when the dressing is covered or when the patient rests on it.

Moisture Vapour Permeable Film Backing

The film backing allows moisture vapour from absorbed exudate to evaporate through the dressing, maintaining absorbent capacity throughout the wear period. The film is waterproof to external fluids, allowing patients to shower with the dressing in place and protecting the wound from external contamination.

Integrated Adhesive Border

The adhesive border holds the dressing in position on intact periwound skin without requiring a secondary dressing or separate fixation product. This makes Biatain Adhesive a self-contained, convenient dressing for wounds across a range of body locations. The adhesive border is designed to provide secure adhesion while allowing the dressing to be removed without excessive trauma to the periwound skin.

Before Application

• Wash hands and use appropriate gloves.
• Clean the wound with sterile saline or as directed by a healthcare professional.
• Dry the periwound skin. The adhesive border requires dry intact periwound skin for effective adhesion.
• Do not apply creams, lotions, or oil-based products to the area where the border will contact the skin.

Application

• Position the 10cm x 10cm dressing over the wound so the foam pad covers the wound bed and the adhesive border rests on intact periwound skin on all sides.
• Remove the release liner and press the border firmly onto the surrounding intact skin.
• No secondary dressing is required.
• Label with the date and time of application.

Wear Time and Removal

• Biatain Adhesive can be worn for up to seven days depending on wound exudate levels.
• Change when exudate approaches the border, when the border lifts, or when clinically indicated.
• To remove, lift one corner of the adhesive border and peel slowly back parallel to the skin surface. Support the periwound skin with the other hand.
• Assess the wound at each change. Review whether Biatain Adhesive remains appropriate.
• Biatain Adhesive has a waterproof film backing that allows showering while the dressing is in place. Avoid prolonged immersion. Pat the dressing dry after showering and check that the border remains secure. Replace with a new dressing if the border has lifted.

Biatain Adhesive 10cm x 10cm

Biatain Adhesive is available in a single size of 10cm x 10cm. This versatile medium size is suitable for moderate-sized wounds across a range of body locations including pressure ulcers, venous leg ulcer areas, post-operative wounds, and other acute and chronic wound sites where a 10cm x 10cm self-adhesive foam pad provides appropriate coverage.

When applying, ensure the foam pad covers the entire wound bed and the adhesive border rests on intact periwound skin on all sides. The border should not overlap onto the wound surface.

Do Not Use Biatain Adhesive If

• The patient has a known allergy or hypersensitivity to the adhesive border or any component of the dressing.
• The wound is infected or at risk of infection - Biatain Adhesive 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.
• Use with caution on fragile periwound skin where adhesive borders may cause trauma at removal. Consider a non-adhesive foam dressing as an alternative.
• Do not stretch the dressing during application as this can cause pressure injury under the border.
• Reassess at each change. If signs of infection develop, switch to Biatain Ag or another antimicrobial dressing.
• Do not use MRI scanning with the dressing in place.

Adverse Effects

• Skin sensitivity, irritation, or stripping at the adhesive border. Discontinue if persistent.
• Wound desiccation if exudate falls significantly. Reassess dressing choice.

Biatain Adhesive Is Suitable For

• Moderately to heavily exuding clean wounds including pressure ulcers, venous leg ulcers, post-operative wounds, and acute wounds where self-adhesive foam is clinically appropriate
• Patients who benefit from a self-contained dressing that does not require separate secondary fixation
• Wounds where the waterproof film backing provides additional protection — the dressing remains in place during showering
• Adults and children under healthcare professional supervision

Biatain Adhesive is the standard adhesive foam within the Biatain range. For infected or at-risk wounds, Biatain Ag provides the same foam format with silver antimicrobial activity. Biatain Adhesive Alginate (available from Pharmacy Planet in a 3cm x 44cm strip) uses a calcium alginate wound contact layer combined with foam and adhesive border for elongated wound types. For wounds requiring non-adhesive foam, Biatain Non-Adhesive provides the foam pad without an integrated border.

Biatain Adhesive 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 the single size of 10cm x 10cm.

Pharmacy Planet stocks Biatain Adhesive alongside Biatain Adhesive Alginate and a comprehensive range of wound care products. Our pharmacists can advise on the most appropriate dressing format for a specific wound and patient.

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 Biatain Adhesive alongside the Biatain range and a comprehensive selection of wound care products. All products are genuine and sourced through regulated supply chains.

Our pharmacists are available to advise on whether Biatain Adhesive or another format within the Biatain range is most appropriate for a specific wound, and on when clinical referral is appropriate.

References

1. Coloplast. Biatain Adhesive Foam Dressing — Instructions for Use. Coloplast Ltd. https://www.coloplast.co.uk. 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.