BIATAIN AG HEEL

Infected heel wounds require both anatomical contouring and antimicrobial management, two properties rarely found together in standard flat dressings. Biatain Ag Heel is a silver-containing foam dressing from Coloplast shaped specifically for the heel and posterior ankle area. Its contoured shape conforms to the curved heel anatomy while the ionic silver provides local antimicrobial activity at the wound surface. It is secured with a fixation bandage rather than an integrated adhesive border, giving the clinician full control over fixation. Available in 19cm x 20cm. No prescription is required.

Biatain Ag Heel is a regulated Class IIb medical device from Coloplast. It is a foam dressing contoured for the heel and posterior ankle area, with ionic silver incorporated into the foam for local antimicrobial management. The dressing has no integrated adhesive border and is secured with a secondary fixation product such as a cohesive or tubular retention bandage.

The contoured shape of Biatain Ag Heel is designed to follow the curved anatomy of the posterior foot from the lower ankle to the plantar surface. Standard flat dressings applied to the heel frequently lift, wrinkle, or shift when a patient moves or is repositioned, because they cannot conform to the curved surface. Biatain Ag Heel addresses this with a shape that maintains consistent wound contact and dressing stability on the heel throughout the wear period.

The ionic silver provides sustained local antimicrobial activity. Silver ions are released as wound exudate contacts the foam, disrupting bacterial cell membranes, interfering with bacterial enzyme systems, and preventing DNA replication. This broad-spectrum action covers a wide range of wound pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida species.

Biatain Ag Heel is indicated for infected or at risk heel pressure ulcers, heel wounds in patients with diabetes or peripheral vascular disease where infection risk is elevated, and other moderately to heavily exuding heel wounds where silver antimicrobial management and heel-contoured coverage are clinically needed.

Biatain Ag Heel has no integrated adhesive border and must be secured with a fixation bandage after application. Silver containing dressings may cause grey or blue grey discolouration of the wound and periwound skin (argyria). This is expected, localised, and reversible. Biatain Ag Heel is not a substitute for systemic antibiotic therapy in spreading cellulitis or systemic infection.

Heel Contoured Shape

The defining feature of Biatain Ag Heel is its contoured shape. The dressing is shaped to wrap around the posterior anatomy of the heel, following the curved surface from the lower ankle to the plantar aspect. This anatomical fit maintains consistent contact between the foam pad and the wound surface throughout the wear period. Consistent wound contact means more stable exudate management and reduces the wound displacement that occurs when a flat dressing is applied to a curved surface.

Ionic Silver Antimicrobial Activity

Ionic silver is released from the foam as wound exudate contacts the dressing. Silver ions act against a broad range of wound pathogens. For heel wounds in patients with diabetes or peripheral vascular disease, where wound infection can progress rapidly and with fewer obvious signs due to peripheral neuropathy, maintaining antimicrobial coverage at the wound surface throughout the dressing wear period is a clinically important property.

Foam Exudate Absorption

The polyurethane foam absorbs wound exudate and retains it within the foam structure away from the wound surface. This prevents pooling of exudate at the wound bed, reduces maceration of the periwound skin, and maintains a moist healing environment at the wound contact surface. The foam provides cushioning over the heel wound, which is clinically useful given the pressure the heel sustains during rest.

Fixation Bandage Flexibility

Because Biatain Ag Heel has no integrated border, the fixation method is determined by the clinical situation and the patient's vascular status. For patients with peripheral vascular disease, compression must be avoided and a lightweight retention dressing or net bandage provides secure fixation without restricting blood flow. For other patients, a cohesive or tubular bandage provides reliable fixation. This flexibility is an important clinical advantage in heel wound management where vascular assessment directly determines the appropriate fixation approach.

Before Application

• Wash hands and use appropriate gloves.
• Clean the wound with sterile saline or as directed by a healthcare professional.
• Dry the surrounding skin gently.
• For patients with diabetes or peripheral vascular disease, ensure vascular status has been assessed before applying any fixation product over the foot and lower leg.
• Select an appropriate fixation bandage before applying the dressing.

Application

• Position the dressing over the wound with the contoured foam following the heel anatomy from the posterior ankle to the plantar surface.
• Hold the dressing in position and apply the secondary fixation product over it.
• Ensure the fixation covers the perimeter of the foam pad.
• Do not apply fixation so tightly that it restricts blood flow, particularly in patients with peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, or oedema.
• Label with the date and time of application.

Wear Time and Removal

• Biatain Ag Heel can be worn for up to seven days depending on exudate levels and wound condition.
• Change earlier if exudate approaches the edge of the foam pad, fixation loosens, or clinical assessment indicates a change is needed.
• Remove the fixation bandage first, then lift the foam pad from the wound.
• Reassess the wound at each change. Review silver dressing use after two to four weeks.
• Heel wounds in patients with diabetes or peripheral vascular disease require clinical assessment before dressing selection. Peripheral neuropathy can reduce pain sensation, meaning wound deterioration may occur without obvious symptoms. Always seek clinical guidance from a podiatrist, diabetic foot team, or tissue viability nurse for heel wounds in at-risk patients.

Biatain Ag Heel 19cm x 20cm

Biatain Ag Heel is available in a single size of 19cm x 20cm. The dimensions reflect the contoured heel shape rather than a flat rectangle. This size is designed to provide adequate coverage for the typical range of heel wound dimensions encountered in clinical practice, including heel pressure ulcers across grades 2 to 4.

If the wound dimensions exceed the coverage area of this dressing, or if the wound shape requires a different format, seek clinical guidance from a tissue viability nurse, district nurse, or podiatrist.

Contraindications

• Known sensitivity or allergy to silver or any component of the dressing.
• Do not use on dry or minimally exuding wounds.
• Do not use in conjunction with oil-based topical products directly under the dressing as these impair silver ion release.

Precautions

• Single use product. Do not reuse or reapply.
• Silver containing dressings may cause grey or blue grey discolouration of the wound and periwound skin (argyria). Expected, localised, and reversible.
• Exercise care when applying fixation in patients with peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, or oedema. Do not apply compressive bandaging without vascular assessment.
• Biatain Ag Heel is not a substitute for systemic antibiotic therapy in spreading cellulitis or systemic infection. Seek urgent clinical assessment if systemic infection is suspected.
• Review silver dressing use after two to four weeks. Step down to a non silver dressing when infection is no longer a clinical concern.
• Do not use MRI scanning with the dressing in place.

Adverse Effects

• Grey or blue grey discolouration (argyria). Expected and reversible.
• Skin sensitivity or irritation. Discontinue if persistent.
• Wound desiccation if exudate falls significantly. Reassess dressing choice.

Biatain Ag Heel Is Suitable For

• Infected or at risk heel pressure ulcers where both silver antimicrobial management and heel-contoured foam coverage are clinically indicated
• Heel wounds in patients with diabetes or peripheral vascular disease where infection risk is elevated and the contoured format provides better coverage than a flat dressing
• Other moderately to heavily exuding infected or at risk heel wounds where a contoured silver foam dressing is appropriate
• Adults and children under clinical supervision — all heel wounds in patients with diabetes or vascular disease require healthcare professional oversight

Biatain Ag Heel contains ionic silver for antimicrobial infection management. Biatain Heel (without silver) provides the same heel-contoured foam format without any antimicrobial agent, for clean healing heel wounds where infection is not a concern. Both are secured with a fixation bandage. Choose Biatain Ag Heel when infection is present or at significant risk. Choose Biatain Heel when the wound is clean and antimicrobial management is not indicated.

Biatain Ag Heel 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 19cm x 20cm.

Pharmacy Planet stocks Biatain Ag Heel alongside Biatain Ag Adhesive, the full Biatain range, and a comprehensive selection of wound care products. Our pharmacists can advise on the most appropriate heel dressing format and on when clinical referral is appropriate.

All heel wounds in patients with diabetes or peripheral vascular disease should be managed under clinical supervision. Seek assessment from a podiatrist, diabetic foot team, tissue viability nurse, or GP for complex, deteriorating, or non-healing heel wounds.

• 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 stocking Biatain Ag Heel alongside the full 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 heel dressing selection and on when clinical referral for heel wound assessment is appropriate.

References

1. Coloplast. Biatain Ag Heel Dressing — Instructions for Use. Coloplast Ltd. https://www.coloplast.co.uk. Accessed May 2026.
2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Pressure ulcers: prevention and management (CG179). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg179. Accessed May 2026.
3. World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS). Antimicrobials and non-healing wounds: evidence, controversies and suggestions. https://wuwhs.net. Accessed May 2026.
4. NHS. Pressure sores (pressure ulcers). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pressure-sores. Accessed May 2026.