BIATAIN SOFT HOLD

For wound dressing borders, the challenge is the same whether the wound is on a patient recovering at home or under clinical supervision: the border needs to stay in place reliably during the wear period, then give way at removal without pulling skin that may already be under strain from the wound management process. Biatain Soft-Hold is a foam wound dressing from Coloplast with a soft hold adhesive border designed to balance fixation during wear with a gentler release at removal compared with conventional adhesive foam formats. Standard foam absorbency. No active pharmaceutical ingredients. Two sizes: 10cm x 20cm and 15cm x 15cm. No prescription required.

Biatain Soft-Hold is a Class IIb regulated medical device from Coloplast. It is a self-adhesive polyurethane foam dressing. The dressing consists of a wound contact layer, an absorbent foam core, a breathable outer film, and a soft hold adhesive border. The border holds the dressing in place against the surrounding skin and no secondary fixation is needed.

The soft hold border in Biatain Soft-Hold is designed to provide secure adhesion during the wear period while being kinder to the skin at removal than a conventional high-tack acrylic adhesive border. Conventional acrylic adhesives generate higher peel forces when the dressing is removed, which can cause discomfort and skin damage on patients whose periwound skin is compromised. A softer adhesive formulation reduces those peel forces, making it a more appropriate choice for patients at risk of adhesive-related skin injury.

It is worth noting what Biatain Soft-Hold is not. It is not the same as the Biatain Silicone range, which uses a silicone-based adhesive technology. The soft hold border in this dressing uses a different adhesive approach. It does not have the repositionable application property associated with silicone adhesives. Clinicians and patients choosing between formats should be aware of this difference when selecting between products in the wider Biatain range.

Biatain Soft-Hold contains no active ingredients. It does not treat infection or provide analgesic activity. It is for moderately to heavily exuding wounds that are clean and not infected. Available in 10cm x 20cm and 15cm x 15cm.

Biatain Soft-Hold contains no antimicrobial agent and is not appropriate for infected wounds. If the wound shows signs of clinical infection, seek assessment before applying any dressing. The soft hold border is designed for gentler removal than standard acrylic adhesive, but skin tolerance varies. Check the periwound skin at each change.

The Soft Hold Border

The border of Biatain Soft-Hold uses an adhesive formulation that bonds to intact dry skin and holds the dressing in position throughout the wear period. At removal, the peel force required is lower than with standard acrylic adhesive formats. This is clinically useful when the skin around the wound is fragile, macerated, thin from age or steroid use, or when the wound management plan involves frequent dressing changes that would accumulate skin damage over time with a higher-tack border.

Foam Absorbent Core

The polyurethane foam absorbs wound exudate that passes through the wound contact layer from below. The foam retains the fluid within its structure, keeping the wound bed moist without allowing fluid to pool. The foam body provides physical cushioning over the wound site. The outer film allows moisture vapour to evaporate while remaining waterproof to external fluids, so the dressing can be worn during showering.

Wound Contact Layer

The inner face of the dressing rests directly on the wound and does not bond to moist wound tissue. This allows the dressing to be lifted at removal without disrupting the wound bed below. Wound fluid passes through this layer into the foam above during the wear period.

Preparation

• Wash hands and use gloves.
• Clean the wound as directed.
• Dry the surrounding skin before applying. The soft hold border adheres to dry intact skin.

Application

• Select 10cm x 20cm or 15cm x 15cm depending on wound dimensions.
• Position the foam pad over the wound bed. Ensure the pad covers the wound fully with margin.
• Remove the release liner and press the border onto the surrounding skin.
• No secondary dressing is needed.
• Note the date and time of application.

Removal

• Lift a corner of the border and peel slowly back, keeping the movement close to the skin surface.
• If any section resists, dampen with saline or water before continuing.
• Check the wound and periwound skin at every change.
• If the wound has developed signs of infection since the last change, seek clinical advice before reapplying.

Biatain Soft-Hold has a waterproof outer film and can remain in place during showering. Avoid prolonged submersion. Pat the dressing dry and check that the border is still adhering after washing.

Biatain Soft-Hold 10cm x 20cm

A rectangular format suited to elongated wound sites, lower limb wounds, and any wound where the length is notably greater than the width. The 10cm x 20cm gives more coverage along the wound course than a square of similar area, reducing the risk of the foam pad edge cutting across an active wound area.

Biatain Soft-Hold 15cm x 15cm

A square format appropriate for moderate to larger wounds where the wound dimensions are broadly similar in both directions. Suited to wound sites on the trunk, upper limbs, and other body areas where a square gives balanced coverage around the wound perimeter.

In both sizes, confirm the foam pad covers the full wound bed before pressing the border down.

When Biatain Soft-Hold Is Not Appropriate

• Infected wounds.
• Known allergy or sensitivity to the adhesive border or any component of the dressing.
• Dry or minimally exuding wounds where a foam absorbent dressing is not clinically indicated.

Precautions

• Single use only.
• Assess periwound skin at each change. Soft hold adhesive is kinder than standard acrylic, but individual tolerance varies, particularly on severely compromised skin.
• If infection develops during use, seek clinical advice and switch to an appropriate antimicrobial dressing.
• Remove before MRI.

Adverse Effects

• Skin irritation or sensitivity at the border site.
• Wound desiccation if exudate output falls below the level needed to keep the wound surface moist.

Wounds Where Biatain Soft-Hold Is Appropriate

• Moderately to heavily exuding clean wounds where a self-adhesive foam with a gentler border is the clinical priority
• Patients where skin fragility, sensitivity to high-tack adhesives, or previous adhesive-related skin damage makes a softer border formulation clinically preferable
• Wound sites where the 10cm x 20cm rectangular or 15cm x 15cm square format provides appropriate wound bed coverage
• Adults and children where clinically directed

Biatain Soft-Hold Within the Biatain Range

The Biatain range offers multiple approaches to border adhesion. Biatain Adhesive Foam uses a conventional acrylic adhesive. Biatain Silicone Adhesive Dressing and the wider Biatain Silicone family use a soft silicone adhesive. Biatain Soft-Hold uses a soft hold adhesive formulation that sits between the two in terms of adhesive character. For patients who have experienced problems with high-tack adhesive borders but for whom the silicone formats have not been indicated, Biatain Soft-Hold provides another option within the same product family. Seek clinical guidance on which border type is most appropriate for a specific patient and wound presentation.

Biatain Soft-Hold is a regulated medical device. No prescription is required. Both sizes are available from Pharmacy Planet and can be ordered without a clinical consultation.

Our pharmacists can advise on whether Biatain Soft-Hold is the right format for a wound and whether the soft hold border or a silicone-bordered format is more likely to suit the periwound skin condition.

Wounds that are not responding as expected, are infected, or are causing increasing concern should be assessed by a tissue viability nurse, district nurse, or GP before continuing with dressing self-management.

• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct light.
• Do not store above 25°C.
• Keep in original sealed packaging until immediately before use.
• Do not use if packaging is damaged.
• Check expiry date before use.
• Apply as soon as packaging is opened.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Dispose of used dressings as clinical waste.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC registered online pharmacy. Both sizes of Biatain Soft-Hold are genuine Coloplast products sourced through regulated UK supply chains.

Our pharmacists are available to discuss border adhesive options across the Biatain range and to advise on when Biatain Soft-Hold, a silicone-bordered format, or a non-adhesive foam is the most appropriate clinical choice.

References

1. Coloplast Ltd. Biatain Soft-Hold — Instructions for Use. Coloplast. https://www.coloplast.co.uk. Accessed May 2026.
2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Wound care products: selection and prescribing. https://www.nice.org.uk. Accessed May 2026.
3. Wounds UK. Principles of wound assessment and management. https://www.wounds-uk.com. Accessed May 2026.
4. NHS. Managing wounds and skin integrity. https://www.nhs.uk. Accessed May 2026.