AQUACEL FOAM DRESSING

The combination of CMC hydrofiber wound contact technology with a foam absorbent layer provides two complementary fluid management mechanisms in a single dressing. AQUACEL Foam Dressing brings these together in a non-adhesive format from Convatec - a CMC hydrofiber wound contact layer beneath a foam absorbent layer, with no integrated border. It requires a secondary fixation product, which gives the clinician full control over the fixation method. It contains no silver and no antimicrobial agents. Available in a single size of 15cm x 15cm. No prescription is required.

AQUACEL Foam Dressing is a regulated Class IIb medical device from Convatec. It is the non-adhesive version of the AQUACEL Foam combination dressing range. It uses the same two-component construction as AQUACEL Foam Adhesive, a CMC hydrofiber wound contact layer and a polyurethane foam absorbent layer, but without any integrated adhesive border. AQUACEL Foam Dressing must be secured with a secondary fixation product such as a bandage, retention dressing, or tubular retention bandage.

The absence of an adhesive border is the defining practical difference from AQUACEL Foam Adhesive. This non-adhesive format is suited to situations where no adhesive can be applied to the periwound skin, where the wound is under compression bandaging, where adhesive borders have caused skin trauma in previous dressings, or where the clinician or patient prefers to select the fixation method independently of the primary wound dressing.

Like AQUACEL Foam Adhesive, AQUACEL Foam Dressing uses a CMC hydrofiber wound contact layer that absorbs exudate vertically into the dressing rather than spreading it laterally onto the periwound skin, forms a cohesive gel on contact with wound fluid, and maintains consistent wound contact throughout the wear period. The foam layer above provides additional absorbent capacity, handling larger volumes of exudate than the CMC layer alone.

AQUACEL Foam Dressing contains no silver and no antimicrobial agents. It is suited to moderately to heavily exuding clean wounds where the combination properties of CMC hydrofiber and foam are clinically useful, no adhesive border is appropriate, and infection management is not needed. Available in a single size of 15cm x 15cm.

AQUACEL Foam Dressing has no adhesive border and must be secured with a secondary fixation product after application. It contains no antimicrobial agents. If the wound shows signs of infection, seek clinical assessment. AQUACEL Ag Foam Adhesive provides the same CMC hydrofiber and foam construction with ionic silver for infected or at risk wounds.

CMC Hydrofiber Wound Contact Layer

The CMC hydrofiber contact layer sits directly on the wound surface. The CMC fibres absorb wound exudate vertically, drawing it upward through the dressing rather than allowing it to spread laterally onto the periwound skin. This vertical wicking action protects the periwound skin from maceration. As the fibres absorb exudate, they form a soft cohesive gel that conforms to the wound surface and maintains consistent wound contact throughout the wear period.

Foam Absorbent Layer

The polyurethane foam layer above the CMC contact layer provides additional fluid handling capacity. Exudate drawn through the CMC layer passes into the foam, which retains it within its structure away from the wound surface. The combination of CMC hydrofiber and foam allows AQUACEL Foam Dressing to manage greater volumes of exudate than the CMC layer alone while maintaining the vertical wicking and cohesive gel properties of the hydrofiber contact surface.

Cohesive Gel Removal

At removal, the CMC gel at the wound contact surface holds together as a single coherent piece. This cohesive removal reduces fragmentation and disruption to the wound bed compared with wound contact surfaces that may adhere to or break apart at the wound surface. Irrigate the wound with sterile saline before and after removal to soften the gel and clear any residue.

Fixation Flexibility

Because AQUACEL Foam Dressing has no integrated border, the fixation method is entirely determined by the clinical situation. For venous leg ulcers under compression bandaging, the bandage provides both compression and fixation simultaneously. For wounds where no adhesive can be applied to the periwound skin, a tubular retention bandage or wound retention sheet holds the dressing securely. This flexibility makes AQUACEL Foam Dressing suitable for a broader range of wound locations and patient types than the bordered version.

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

• Place the dressing over the wound with the CMC hydrofiber wound contact side facing the wound bed. The wound contact side is the softer textured surface.
• Ensure the dressing covers the entire wound bed with a margin beyond the wound edges.
• Apply the secondary fixation product to secure the dressing. Ensure it covers the perimeter of the dressing pad to prevent shifting.
• For venous leg ulcers, apply the compression bandage system over the dressing — this provides both compression and fixation.
• Label with the date and time of application.

Removal

• Remove the secondary fixation product first.
• Irrigate the wound with sterile saline to soften the gelled CMC contact layer before removal.
• Gently lift the dressing from the wound. The foam backing will remain intact and the CMC gel should come away as a single piece.
• Irrigate the wound after removal to clear any gel residue before assessing the wound and applying the next dressing.

AQUACEL Foam Dressing is applied with the CMC hydrofiber wound contact surface against the wound bed. A gel residue on the wound at removal is normal and expected. Irrigate with sterile saline to clear this. The CMC gel is distinct from wound slough or tissue.

AQUACEL Foam Dressing 15cm x 15cm

AQUACEL Foam Dressing is available in a single size of 15cm x 15cm. This size provides adequate wound contact area for moderate to large wound beds across a range of clinical wound types. The dressing can be cut to fit using sterile scissors if the wound dimensions are smaller than the full pad area.

If the wound is significantly larger than 15cm x 15cm, seek clinical guidance on the most appropriate dressing approach. For wounds requiring a smaller format than 15cm x 15cm, AQUACEL Foam Adhesive is available in a range of sizes down to 8cm x 8cm, with the addition of an integrated adhesive border.

Do Not Use AQUACEL Foam Dressing If

• The patient has a known allergy or hypersensitivity to CMC hydrofiber, polyurethane foam, or any component of the dressing.
• The wound is infected. AQUACEL Foam Dressing contains no antimicrobial agents.
• The wound is dry or minimally exuding.

Precautions

• Single use product. Do not reuse or reapply.
• Ensure adequate secondary fixation. A dressing that shifts on the wound surface causes friction and can 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 and consider switching to AQUACEL Ag Foam Adhesive or another antimicrobial dressing.
• Do not use MRI scanning with the dressing in place. Remove before MRI procedures.

Adverse Effects

• Wound desiccation if exudate falls significantly. Reassess dressing choice.
• Friction or wound bed disruption if secondary fixation is inadequate and the dressing shifts.

AQUACEL Foam Dressing Is Suitable For

• Moderately to heavily exuding clean wounds where the CMC hydrofiber and foam combination is clinically indicated and no adhesive border is appropriate
• Venous leg ulcers under compression bandaging, where the bandage provides both compression and fixation over the dressing
• Wounds in patients who have experienced adhesive border skin trauma and where a non-adhesive format eliminates this concern
• Wound locations where bandage or retention dressing fixation provides better security than an adhesive border
• Adults and children under healthcare professional supervision

Both products use a CMC hydrofiber wound contact layer and a foam absorbent layer. The difference is the border. AQUACEL Foam Adhesive has an integrated adhesive border for self-adhesion. AQUACEL Foam Dressing has no border and requires secondary fixation. Choose AQUACEL Foam Dressing when no adhesive is appropriate for the periwound skin or when secondary fixation is clinically preferred. Choose AQUACEL Foam Adhesive when self-adhesion is convenient and the periwound skin tolerates an adhesive border.

AQUACEL Foam Dressing 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 a single size of 15cm x 15cm.

Pharmacy Planet stocks both AQUACEL Foam Dressing and AQUACEL Foam Adhesive alongside the full AQUACEL range. Our pharmacists can advise on whether the adhesive or non-adhesive foam format is most appropriate 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 AQUACEL Foam Dressing alongside AQUACEL Foam Adhesive and the full AQUACEL range. All products are genuine and sourced through regulated supply chains.

Our pharmacists are available to advise on whether AQUACEL Foam Dressing or AQUACEL Foam Adhesive is most appropriate for a specific wound and on suitable secondary fixation options.

References

1. Convatec. AQUACEL 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.