BIATAIN SILICONE ADHESIVE FOAM

A self-adhesive foam dressing that holds securely during wear while releasing gently at removal meets a specific clinical need for patients with fragile or damaged periwound skin. Biatain Silicone Adhesive Foam is a polyurethane foam dressing from Coloplast with a soft silicone adhesive border, available in five square sizes from the compact 7.5cm x 7.5cm to the larger 17.5cm x 17.5cm. The silicone border adheres without chemical adhesive, can be repositioned during application, and releases with less force at removal than a standard acrylic border. No active agents. No secondary fixation required. No prescription is needed.

Biatain Silicone Adhesive Foam is a regulated Class IIb medical device from Coloplast. It is a self-adhesive polyurethane foam wound dressing with a soft silicone adhesive border. The construction consists of a non-adherent wound contact surface, a hydrocellular foam absorbent core, a moisture vapour permeable waterproof film backing, and a soft silicone adhesive border. There are no active agents, no ibuprofen, no silver, and no antimicrobial components.

Soft silicone adhesive differs fundamentally from standard acrylic adhesive. Standard acrylic adhesive bonds to skin through a chemical adhesive mechanism. Soft silicone adhesive bonds through van der Waals intermolecular forces — weak but distributed attractions acting across the full contact area between the silicone and the skin surface. Because the bond is not chemical in nature, the silicone border can be lifted and repositioned during application without losing adhesive function, and releases with less mechanical force at removal, reducing skin stripping on fragile periwound tissue.

The five-size range in all-square format: 7.5cm x 7.5cm, 10cm x 10cm, 12.5cm x 12.5cm, 15cm x 15cm, and 17.5cm x 17.5cm, provides a stepped progression from small to large square wound coverage. The 7.5cm x 7.5cm is suited to small wounds where a compact silicone border format is needed. The 17.5cm x 17.5cm extends coverage to larger wound areas where a soft silicone border is the preferred approach to periwound skin protection.

Biatain Silicone Adhesive Foam is suited to moderately to heavily exuding clean wounds where self-adhesive silicone-bordered foam is clinically appropriate — particularly for patients with fragile or damaged periwound skin where the gentler silicone adhesion and atraumatic removal reduce the repeated skin trauma that can occur with acrylic adhesive borders.

Biatain Silicone Adhesive Foam contains no antimicrobial agents. It is not suitable for infected wounds. If the wound shows signs of infection, seek clinical assessment. Although the soft silicone border is designed for gentler removal, individual skin tolerance varies. Assess periwound skin condition at every dressing change.

Soft Silicone Adhesive Border

The soft silicone border adheres to the skin surface through van der Waals intermolecular forces rather than chemical adhesive. The silicone is conformable and follows skin surface contours, maximising the contact area that generates adhesive force. The result is reliable adhesion throughout wear with gentle, consistent release at removal. The border can be lifted and repositioned during application without loss of adhesive function, enabling accurate placement over the wound bed. No adhesive residue is left on the skin at removal.

Foam Exudate Absorption

The hydrocellular foam core absorbs wound exudate through the non-adherent wound contact surface and retains it within the foam structure. This prevents pooling of exudate at the wound bed, reduces maceration of the wound surface and the periwound skin beneath the adhesive border, and maintains a moist wound healing environment. The foam provides cushioning over the wound, which is clinically useful for wounds subject to friction or pressure.

Waterproof Film Backing

The moisture vapour permeable film backing allows moisture vapour from absorbed exudate to evaporate through the dressing while remaining waterproof to external fluids. This allows patients to shower with the dressing in place without the wound being exposed to shower water. The waterproof backing also protects the wound from external contamination between dressing changes.

Size Selection Across the Square Range

The five square sizes allow selection of the closest match to the wound dimensions. The foam pad area increases with each size step, from the small 7.5cm x 7.5cm pad for minor wounds, through the mid-range 12.5cm x 12.5cm, to the larger 17.5cm x 17.5cm for more extensive wound areas. Selecting the size where the foam pad covers the wound with adequate margin, and where the silicone border rests on intact periwound skin, gives the best clinical result.

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 gently. Silicone adhesive adheres optimally to dry intact skin.

Application

• Select the appropriate size: 7.5cm x 7.5cm, 10cm x 10cm, 12.5cm x 12.5cm, 15cm x 15cm, or 17.5cm x 17.5cm.
• Position the dressing over the wound with the foam pad centred over the wound bed.
• Remove the release liner and press the silicone border gently onto the surrounding intact skin.
• If the alignment is not correct, the silicone border can be carefully lifted and repositioned without losing adhesive function.
• No secondary dressing is required.
• Label with the date and time of application.

Wear Time and Removal

• Biatain Silicone Adhesive Foam can be worn for up to seven days depending on exudate levels.
• Change when exudate approaches the dressing border, the border lifts, or clinical assessment indicates a change is needed.
• To remove, lift one corner of the silicone border and peel slowly back parallel to the skin. The silicone releases gently.
• If the dressing feels firmly adhered at any point, moisten the border with water or saline to assist release.
• Assess the wound and periwound skin at each change.
• Biatain Silicone Adhesive Foam has a waterproof film backing and can be worn during showering. Avoid prolonged immersion such as baths or swimming. Pat dry after showering and check that the silicone border remains in full contact with the periwound skin.

Biatain Silicone Adhesive Foam 7.5cm x 7.5cm

The smallest size in this range, suited to small wounds, digit wounds, minor post-operative sites, and any wound where a compact 7.5cm x 7.5cm silicone bordered foam pad is clinically appropriate. Provides soft silicone adhesion for patients with fragile skin even in small wound formats.

Biatain Silicone Adhesive Foam 10cm x 10cm

A medium square size suitable for moderate-sized wounds where the 7.5cm x 7.5cm does not provide adequate wound bed coverage. Suited to smaller pressure ulcers, venous leg ulcer areas, and post-operative wounds where silicone adhesion is preferred over acrylic.

Biatain Silicone Adhesive Foam 12.5cm x 12.5cm

A mid-range square size providing slightly larger foam coverage than the 10cm x 10cm. Suited to moderate wounds where the extra pad area provides better wound bed coverage with appropriate border margin on all sides.

Biatain Silicone Adhesive Foam 15cm x 15cm

A larger square size for moderate to large wound areas including pressure ulcers and larger venous leg ulcer sites. Provides broader soft silicone-bordered foam coverage for wounds that exceed the 12.5cm pad area.

Biatain Silicone Adhesive Foam 17.5cm x 17.5cm

The largest size in this square range, providing the broadest foam coverage for extensive wound areas where a soft silicone border is the preferred fixation approach. Suited to large pressure ulcers and extensive chronic wounds under clinical supervision.

At each size step, ensure the foam pad covers the full wound bed and the silicone border rests on intact periwound skin on all sides. As a wound heals and reduces in size, stepping down to a smaller format reduces unnecessary dressing footprint.

Do Not Use Biatain Silicone Adhesive Foam If

• The patient has a known allergy or sensitivity to silicone, polyurethane foam, or any component of the dressing.
• The wound is infected or at risk. No antimicrobial agents are present.
• The wound is dry or minimally exuding.

Precautions

• Single use product. Do not reuse or reapply.
• Assess periwound skin at every change. Even silicone borders can cause irritation on very fragile or broken skin.
• Reassess at each change. If infection develops, switch to an appropriate antimicrobial dressing and seek clinical assessment.
• Do not use MRI scanning with the dressing in place.

Adverse Effects

• Local skin irritation at the silicone border — less common than with acrylic adhesive but possible on very fragile skin.
• Wound desiccation if exudate reduces significantly. Reassess dressing choice.

Biatain Silicone Adhesive Foam Is Suitable For

• Patients with fragile or damaged periwound skin where soft silicone adhesion provides a gentler alternative to standard acrylic adhesive borders
• Patients who have experienced skin stripping or adhesive border trauma with standard foam dressings
• Patients on long-term corticosteroids or with age-related skin fragility where skin thinning makes adhesive border trauma a clinical concern
• Moderately to heavily exuding clean wounds where the five square sizes from 7.5cm to 17.5cm provide appropriate wound coverage
• Adults and children under healthcare professional supervision

The five square sizes provide a stepped progression from 7.5cm x 7.5cm to 17.5cm x 17.5cm. Select the smallest size that provides full wound bed coverage with adequate border margin. As wounds heal and reduce in dimensions, stepping down to a smaller size is appropriate. As wounds increase in size, step up. The incremental sizing within the square range allows close matching of dressing to wound dimensions at each stage of wound healing.

Biatain Silicone 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 five sizes: 7.5cm x 7.5cm, 10cm x 10cm, 12.5cm x 12.5cm, 15cm x 15cm, and 17.5cm x 17.5cm.

Pharmacy Planet stocks this range alongside other Biatain Silicone Adhesive Foam configurations and the full Biatain range. Our pharmacists can advise on size selection and on when clinical referral is appropriate.

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 all five square sizes of Biatain Silicone Adhesive Foam alongside the full Biatain range. All products are genuine and sourced through regulated supply chains.

Our pharmacists are available to advise on size selection across the range and on the clinical choice between silicone and acrylic adhesive foam formats.

References

1. Coloplast. Biatain Silicone Adhesive Foam — 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.