BIATAIN ALGINATE DRESSING

Calcium alginate dressings provide high absorbency and a moist healing environment by gelling on contact with wound exudate, making them clinically useful for moderately to heavily exuding wounds where effective moisture management is the priority. Biatain Alginate is a calcium alginate dressing from Coloplast for clean exuding wounds where infection is not a clinical concern. The alginate fibres gel on contact with wound exudate through an ion exchange mechanism, conforming to the wound surface and maintaining a moist healing environment throughout the wear period. Available in 5cm x 5cm, 10cm x 10cm, and 15cm x 15cm. A secondary dressing is required. No prescription needed.

Biatain Alginate is a regulated Class IIb medical device from Coloplast. It is a calcium alginate wound dressing in three flat sheet sizes. Calcium alginate is a natural fibre derived from the cell walls of brown seaweed. The fibres contain calcium ions bound within the alginate polymer. When wound exudate contacts the fibres, sodium ions in the exudate displace the calcium ions in a natural ion exchange reaction, causing the fibres to swell and transform into a soft moist gel.

Biatain Alginate contains no silver and no antimicrobial agents. It is the non-silver equivalent of Biatain Alginate Ag within the Coloplast alginate range. It is suited to moderately to heavily exuding clean wounds where high alginate absorbency and a moist wound healing environment are the clinical priorities, and where infection management is not indicated. For infected or at risk wounds, Biatain Alginate Ag provides the same calcium alginate properties with the addition of ionic silver.

The three sizes: 5cm x 5cm, 10cm x 10cm, and 15cm x 15cm, cover a range of wound dimensions from small acute wounds to larger chronic wound areas. The 15cm x 15cm size extends the flat sheet range beyond the sizes available in Biatain Alginate Ag, providing broader coverage for larger wound beds where calcium alginate wound contact is indicated.

Biatain Alginate is applied dry and requires a secondary dressing for fixation and additional absorbency. A gel residue will remain on the wound at removal and must be irrigated away with sterile saline before the next dressing is applied.

Biatain Alginate is applied dry to the wound surface. Wound exudate activates the alginate gelling. Do not pre wet. A gel residue will remain on the wound at removal. Irrigate with sterile saline to clear this before applying the next dressing. A gel residue on the wound surface is a normal and expected result of alginate use and is distinct from wound slough or tissue.

Ion Exchange and Gel Formation

The alginate fibres contain calcium ions as part of their natural polymer structure. When wound exudate contacts the fibres, the sodium ions in the exudate replace the calcium ions in an ion exchange reaction. This exchange causes the fibres to absorb exudate and swell, transforming from a dry fibrous material into a soft, moist gel that conforms closely to the wound surface. The gel maintains consistent wound contact throughout the wear period, supporting a moist wound healing environment from application to removal.

High Exudate Absorption

Calcium alginate has high exudate absorption capacity relative to its dry weight. The ion exchange mechanism draws exudate into the alginate structure as gelling proceeds, removing excess fluid from the wound bed. This helps prevent pooling of exudate at the wound surface, which can macerate the wound bed and the periwound skin. The secondary dressing applied over the Biatain Alginate absorbs additional exudate that passes out of the alginate layer, maintaining effective wound fluid management throughout the wear period.

Moist Wound Healing

The gelled alginate maintains a moist wound healing environment at the wound contact surface. A moist environment supports cell migration across the wound bed, promotes the natural debridement of slough, and facilitates the growth of granulation tissue. The alginate gel also has haemostatic properties: the calcium ions released into the wound during the ion exchange can assist with minor surface bleeding at the wound bed.

Gel Removal

At dressing removal, the alginate gel holds together as a cohesive mass. Irrigating the wound with sterile saline before removal softens the gel and assists separation from the wound surface, reducing the risk of the alginate adhering to the wound bed if exudate levels have fallen and the dressing has partially dried. The gel is removed with the dressing and any residue is cleared by irrigation before the next dressing is applied.

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.
• Do not pre wet the dressing. The alginate must be applied dry to activate correctly.
• Select an appropriate secondary dressing.

Application

• Choose the appropriate size: 5cm x 5cm, 10cm x 10cm, or 15cm x 15cm. The dressing should cover the full wound bed.
• Place the dry alginate sheet directly on the wound surface.
• Apply a secondary dressing over the alginate to absorb exudate and hold the dressing in position.
• Label with the date and time of application.

Wear Time and Removal

• Biatain Alginate can remain in place for up to seven days depending on exudate levels. Change earlier if the dressing is saturated or exudate is escaping the secondary dressing.
• Irrigate the wound with sterile saline before removal to soften the gel.
• Gently lift the alginate from the wound. The gel should come away as a manageable mass.
• Irrigate after removal to clear any gel residue. Assess the wound before applying the next dressing.
• If alginate fibres remain at the wound surface after removal, these can be left in place as they will biodegrade. However, irrigation will usually clear the majority of residue.

Biatain Alginate 5cm x 5cm

The smallest size, suitable for small wounds, digit wounds, and confined wound sites where a compact alginate wound contact layer is appropriate. Apply with a suitably sized secondary dressing over it.

Biatain Alginate 10cm x 10cm

A versatile medium square size suitable for moderate-sized wounds including venous leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, and post-operative wounds with moderate to heavy exudate. This is the most widely used size for routine flat wound alginate management within the Biatain Alginate range.

Biatain Alginate 15cm x 15cm

The largest size in the Biatain Alginate range, providing broad alginate coverage for more extensive wound areas including larger pressure ulcers, extensive leg ulcer areas, and other larger chronic wounds with significant exudate. The 15cm x 15cm size is available in Biatain Alginate but not in Biatain Alginate Ag, making this the appropriate choice for larger clean wounds where silver antimicrobial management is not indicated.

When selecting a size, the alginate sheet should cover the full wound bed. If the wound is larger than 15cm x 15cm, seek clinical guidance on the appropriate dressing approach.

Do Not Use Biatain Alginate If

• The patient has a known allergy or sensitivity to calcium alginate or any component of the dressing.
• The wound is infected or at risk. Biatain Alginate contains no antimicrobial agents. Use Biatain Alginate Ag for infected or at risk wounds.
• The wound is dry or minimally exuding. Alginate requires wound exudate to gel. On a dry wound the alginate will not activate and may adhere to the wound surface.

Precautions

• Single use product. Do not reuse or resterilise.
• A secondary dressing is always required.
• Irrigate with sterile saline before removal to soften the gel and reduce adherence.
• A gel residue at removal is normal and expected. Irrigate to clear it.
• Do not use MRI scanning with the dressing in place.

Adverse Effects

• Wound adherence if the alginate dries significantly and is removed without adequate irrigation. Irrigate before removal.
• Skin sensitivity or irritation. Discontinue if persistent.

Biatain Alginate Is Suitable For

• Moderately to heavily exuding clean wounds across a range of sizes where calcium alginate wound contact and moist wound management are clinically indicated and infection management is not needed
• Venous leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, post-operative wounds, traumatic wounds, and other acute and chronic wounds with significant exudate
• Larger clean wound areas using the 15cm x 15cm size where the extended flat sheet coverage is clinically appropriate
• Adults and children under healthcare professional supervision

Biatain Alginate and Biatain Alginate Ag share the same calcium alginate wound contact mechanism. Biatain Alginate Ag adds ionic silver for antimicrobial infection management, and is available in 5cm x 5cm, 10cm x 10cm, and a 3cm x 44cm cavity strip. Biatain Alginate is available in 5cm x 5cm, 10cm x 10cm, and 15cm x 15cm flat sheets without silver. Choose Biatain Alginate for clean wounds where infection is not a concern. Choose Biatain Alginate Ag when infection is present or at risk.

Biatain Alginate 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 three sizes: 5cm x 5cm, 10cm x 10cm, and 15cm x 15cm.

Pharmacy Planet stocks Biatain Alginate alongside Biatain Alginate Ag and the full Biatain range. Our pharmacists can advise on the most appropriate alginate size and format for a specific wound.

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 three Biatain Alginate sizes alongside Biatain Alginate Ag and the full Biatain range. All products are genuine and sourced through regulated supply chains.

Our pharmacists are available to advise on alginate dressing selection, size choice, and when clinical referral for wound assessment is appropriate.

References

1. Coloplast. Biatain Alginate 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.