BIATAIN FIBER

Gelling fibre dressings manage wound exudate by absorbing it vertically through a synthetic fibre structure that transforms into a cohesive gel on contact with wound fluid, providing effective exudate control while protecting the periwound skin from maceration. Biatain Fiber is Coloplast's gelling fibre wound dressing. The synthetic fibres absorb exudate vertically, gel in place, and maintain a moist wound healing environment throughout the wear period. Available in three flat sheet sizes (5cm x 5cm, 10cm x 10cm, and 15cm x 15cm) and a narrow strip (2.5cm x 46cm) for cavity and sinus tract use. A secondary dressing is required. No prescription is needed.

Biatain Fiber is a regulated Class IIb medical device from Coloplast. It is a gelling fibre wound dressing in which the wound contact material is a synthetic CMC-based fibre. When wound exudate contacts the fibres, they absorb the fluid and transform from a dry fibrous structure into a soft cohesive gel that conforms to the wound surface.

Gelling fibre technology differs from calcium alginate in its origin and some properties. Calcium alginate is a natural material derived from seaweed. Gelling fibre such as that in Biatain Fiber is a synthetic CMC-based fibre with a vertical absorption direction, drawing exudate upward through the fibre structure rather than allowing it to spread laterally. This vertical wicking helps to keep absorbed exudate away from the periwound skin, reducing the maceration risk associated with lateral fluid spread.

Biatain Fiber contains no silver and no antimicrobial agents. It is suited to moderately to heavily exuding clean wounds where gelling fibre exudate management and a moist wound healing environment are the clinical priorities, and infection management is not indicated. It is available in four configurations: flat sheets in 5cm x 5cm, 10cm x 10cm, and 15cm x 15cm, and a 2.5cm x 46cm narrow strip for cavity wounds and sinus tracts. All formats require a secondary dressing.

The 2.5cm x 46cm strip is introduced loosely into wound cavities and sinus tracts where it gels in contact with exudate throughout the accessible wound depth. All cavity strip safety rules apply: loose packing only, retrieval portion always outside the wound, count in and out at every change.

Biatain Fiber is applied dry. Wound exudate activates the 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. For the 2.5cm x 46cm cavity strip: pack loosely, leave a retrieval portion outside the wound at all times, and count strips in and out at every dressing change.

Vertical Fluid Absorption and Gelling

The synthetic CMC based fibres absorb wound exudate in a predominantly vertical direction, upward through the fibre structure, rather than spreading it laterally across the dressing surface. This vertical absorption behaviour is clinically important because it reduces the spread of exudate onto the periwound skin, which is a principal cause of periwound maceration in highly exuding wounds. As the fibres absorb exudate, they swell and transform from dry fibres into a soft cohesive gel that conforms to the wound surface.

Cohesive Gel Formation

The gel formed by Biatain Fiber holds together as a coherent mass throughout the wear period and at removal. This cohesive property means the gelled dressing can be lifted from the wound as a single piece rather than fragmenting. For the 2.5cm x 46cm cavity strip, the cohesive gel allows the strip to be retrieved as a continuous length from the wound cavity. Irrigating the wound with sterile saline before removal softens the gel and assists separation from the wound surface and cavity walls.

Moist Wound Healing Environment

The gelled fibre maintains a moist wound healing environment at the wound contact surface throughout the wear period. Consistent moisture at the wound bed supports cell migration across the wound surface, facilitates natural debridement of slough and necrotic tissue, and promotes the growth of granulation tissue. The secondary dressing absorbs additional exudate that passes through or out of the gelled fibre layer, maintaining effective fluid management.

Cavity Contact for the Strip Format

The 2.5cm x 46cm strip is introduced loosely into wound cavities, sinus tracts, and tunnelling wounds. Within the cavity, the dry fibre contacts wound exudate from the cavity walls and wound bed, gelling in place and conforming to the cavity shape. This provides consistent wound contact throughout the accessible cavity depth, managing exudate at depth rather than only at the wound surface opening.

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. Biatain Fiber is activated by wound exudate.
• Select an appropriate secondary dressing.

Sheet Application — 5cm x 5cm, 10cm x 10cm, 15cm x 15cm

• Place the dry fibre sheet directly on the wound bed, ensuring the full wound surface is covered.
• Apply a secondary dressing to absorb exudate and hold the Biatain Fiber in position.
• Label with the date and time of application.

Strip Application — 2.5cm x 46cm for Cavity Wounds

• Introduce the dry strip loosely into the wound cavity or sinus tract. Do not pack tightly.
• Ensure the strip contacts the cavity walls throughout the accessible wound depth.
• Always leave a visible portion of the strip outside the wound opening as a retrieval tag. Never pack the entire strip inside the wound.
• Apply a secondary dressing to cover the wound surface opening.
• Document the number of strips used.

Removal

• Irrigate the wound thoroughly with sterile saline to soften the gelled fibre before removal.
• Gently lift the sheet or retrieve the strip by its accessible end.
• For the strip format: count strips out and confirm full retrieval before applying the next dressing.
• Irrigate after removal to clear any gel residue. Assess the wound before applying the next dressing.
• For the 2.5cm x 46cm cavity strip, always count strips in and out and document at every change. If you cannot locate or fully retrieve the strip, seek urgent clinical assessment. Irrigate thoroughly and seek clinical guidance before attempting further retrieval.

Biatain Fiber 5cm x 5cm

A compact flat sheet for small wounds, digit wounds, and localised wound sites where a small gelling fibre contact layer is clinically appropriate.

Biatain Fiber 10cm x 10cm

A medium square flat sheet for moderate-sized wounds including venous leg ulcer areas, pressure ulcers, and post-operative wounds with moderate to heavy exudate where gelling fibre wound contact is indicated.

Biatain Fiber 15cm x 15cm

A larger flat sheet for more extensive wound areas including larger pressure ulcers and extensive leg ulcer areas where broader gelling fibre coverage is needed. The larger format makes this appropriate for wounds that exceed the coverage area of the 10cm x 10cm sheet.

Biatain Fiber 2.5cm x 46cm Strip

A narrow gelling fibre strip for cavity wounds, sinus tracts, and tunnelling wounds where the strip is introduced loosely into the wound to provide gelling fibre contact at depth. The 2.5cm width suits cavities with openings wide enough to accommodate this format without force. The 46cm length provides sufficient strip length for most accessible wound cavities with retrieval ribbon remaining outside the wound opening. Must be packed loosely, with retrieval portion always outside the wound, counted in and out at every change.

All formats require a secondary dressing for fixation and additional absorbency.

Do Not Use Biatain Fiber If

• The patient has a known allergy or sensitivity to CMC fibres or any component of the dressing.
• The wound is infected or at risk. Biatain Fiber contains no antimicrobial agents.
• The wound is dry or minimally exuding. Gelling fibre requires exudate to activate.

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.
• For the 2.5cm x 46cm strip: pack loosely, leave retrieval portion outside wound, count in and out.
• Do not use MRI scanning with the dressing in place.

Adverse Effects

• Wound adherence if the fibre gel dries significantly. Irrigate before removal.
• Skin sensitivity or irritation. Discontinue if persistent.
• Wound desiccation if exudate falls significantly. Reassess dressing choice.

Biatain Fiber Is Suitable For

• Moderately to heavily exuding clean wounds where synthetic gelling fibre vertical absorption and moist wound management are clinically appropriate and infection management is not needed
• Venous leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, and post-operative wounds with significant exudate
• Cavity wounds and sinus tracts using the 2.5cm x 46cm strip under clinical supervision
• Adults and children under healthcare professional supervision

Both Biatain Fiber and Biatain Alginate are wound contact dressings that gel on contact with exudate. Biatain Alginate uses natural calcium alginate fibres with an ion exchange gelling mechanism. Biatain Fiber uses synthetic CMC-based fibres with vertical fluid absorption. The practical clinical difference is absorption direction: Biatain Fiber absorbs predominantly vertically, reducing lateral spread and periwound maceration risk. Choose between them based on clinical preference and the wound type. Both require secondary dressings and contain no antimicrobial agents.

Biatain Fiber 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 four configurations: 5cm x 5cm, 10cm x 10cm, 15cm x 15cm, and 2.5cm x 46cm.

Pharmacy Planet stocks Biatain Fiber alongside the Biatain Alginate range, Biatain Alginate Ag, and the full Biatain product family. Our pharmacists can advise on the most appropriate gelling wound contact dressing for a specific wound.

For complex wounds, cavity wounds requiring clinical oversight, or wounds not healing as expected, seek clinical assessment from a tissue viability nurse, district nurse, or GP.

• 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 all four Biatain Fiber configurations alongside the full Biatain range. All products are genuine and sourced through regulated supply chains.

Our pharmacists are available to advise on gelling wound contact dressing selection and on when clinical referral for wound assessment is appropriate.

References

1. Coloplast. Biatain Fiber — 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.