BIATAIN SILICONE ADHESIVE DRESSING

For patients with fragile or damaged periwound skin, finding a self-adhesive foam dressing that holds securely during wear but does not cause further skin trauma at removal is a significant clinical need. Biatain Silicone Adhesive Dressing is a foam wound dressing from Coloplast with a soft silicone adhesive border. The silicone border provides reliable dressing fixation while releasing with less force at removal than a standard acrylic adhesive, reducing the risk of skin stripping on fragile periwound tissue. Available in five sizes including a rectangular 12cm x 20cm. No active agents. No secondary fixation required. No prescription is required.

Biatain Silicone Adhesive Dressing, manufactured by Coloplast, is a Class IIb medical device designed for wound care. It features an absorbent polyurethane foam pad combined with a gentle silicone adhesive border to help manage wound exudate while maintaining secure fixation. The construction consists of a non adherent wound contact surface, a hydrocellular foam absorbent core, a moisture vapour permeable film backing, and a soft silicone adhesive border. There are no active agents, no ibuprofen, no silver, no antimicrobial components.

The defining feature is the soft silicone adhesive border. Standard acrylic adhesive borders bond to skin through a chemical adhesive mechanism. Soft silicone adhesive bonds to skin through van der Waals forces, the same intermolecular forces that allow gecko feet to adhere to surfaces. This means the silicone border conforms to skin surface contours, bonds reliably without chemical adhesive, and can be lifted and repositioned during application without losing adhesive function. At removal, it releases with less mechanical force than acrylic adhesive, reducing the skin stripping and adhesive trauma associated with repeated adhesive border changes.

This property makes Biatain Silicone Adhesive Dressing particularly suited to patients with fragile periwound skin, a frequent finding in chronic wound patients including those with venous leg ulcers, older adults with skin fragility, and patients receiving long-term corticosteroid therapy where skin is thin and easily damaged. It is also suited to patients who have experienced adhesive border trauma with standard dressings and require a gentler fixation approach.

Biatain Silicone Adhesive Dressing is available in five sizes: 10cm x 10cm, 12cm x 20cm, 12.5cm x 12.5cm, 15cm x 15cm, and 20cm x 20cm. The 12cm x 20cm rectangular size suits elongated wound areas. The silicone border is self-contained. No secondary fixation is required.

Biatain Silicone Adhesive Dressing contains no antimicrobial agents. Not used for infected wounds. If the wound shows signs of infection, seek clinical assessment. Although the soft silicone border is designed for gentle removal on fragile skin, individual skin tolerance varies. Assess the periwound skin at each change.

Soft Silicone Adhesive Border Mechanism

The soft silicone border bonds to the skin through van der Waals forces rather than chemical adhesive. Van der Waals forces are weak intermolecular attractions that act across the full contact area between the silicone and the skin surface. The silicone material is conformable, allowing it to follow skin surface contours and irregularities and maximise contact area, which provides reliable adhesion during wear. Because the adhesion is not chemical in nature, the border can be lifted and repositioned during application without the silicone losing its adhesive properties. At removal, the border peels away without leaving adhesive residue and with less mechanical force on the skin.

Repositionable Application

The repositionable property of silicone adhesive is a practical clinical advantage. When applying a dressing to an awkward wound location or when precise alignment of the foam pad over the wound is important, being able to lift and reposition the border during application without damaging the adhesive allows more accurate placement. This is particularly useful in clinical settings where multiple dressing changes occur and consistent wound coverage is important.

Foam Exudate Absorption

The hydrocellular foam core absorbs wound exudate drawn through the non adherent wound contact surface and retains it within the foam structure. This prevents pooling of exudate at the wound bed, reduces maceration of the periwound skin, and maintains a moist wound healing environment. The foam provides cushioning over the wound site. The moisture vapour permeable film backing allows evaporation of moisture vapour while remaining waterproof to external fluids.

Waterproof Barrier

The film backing is waterproof, allowing patients to shower while the dressing is in place. This is a practical benefit for patients managing their own wound care independently, reducing the need for dressing changes immediately following personal hygiene.

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.

Application

• Select the appropriate size: 10cm x 10cm, 12cm x 20cm, 12.5cm x 12.5cm, 15cm x 15cm, or 20cm x 20cm.
• Position the dressing over the wound with the foam pad centred over the wound bed.
• Remove the release liner and press the silicone border onto the surrounding skin.
• If the alignment is not correct, the silicone border can be lifted and repositioned without loss of adhesive function.
• No secondary dressing is required.

Label with the date and time of application.

• Wear Time and Removal
• Biatain Silicone Adhesive Dressing can be worn for up to seven days depending on exudate levels.
• Change when exudate approaches the border, the border lifts, or clinical assessment indicates a change.
• To remove, lift one corner of the silicone border and peel slowly back parallel to the skin surface. The silicone should release gently.
• If the dressing feels firmly adhered, do not force removal. Moisten the border with saline or water to assist release.
• Assess the wound and periwound skin at each change.
• Biatain Silicone Adhesive Dressing has a waterproof film backing and can be worn during showering. Avoid prolonged immersion. Pat the dressing dry after showering and check that the silicone border remains securely in contact with the periwound skin.

Biatain Silicone Adhesive Dressing 10cm x 10cm

A medium square size suitable for moderate-sized exuding wounds where a soft silicone border is clinically indicated. Suited to wounds in patients with fragile periwound skin where a 10cm x 10cm format provides appropriate wound coverage.

Biatain Silicone Adhesive Dressing 12cm x 20cm

A rectangular format for elongated wound areas, lower limb wounds, and sites where a rectangular shape provides better coverage than a square. Particularly suited to venous leg ulcers along the lower leg where the elongated format follows the wound course more accurately than a square dressing.

Biatain Silicone Adhesive Dressing 12.5cm x 12.5cm

A medium-square size providing slightly larger coverage than the 10cm x 10cm. Suited to moderate-sized wounds where additional foam pad area is clinically useful and a soft silicone border is preferred.

Biatain Silicone Adhesive Dressing 15cm x 15cm

A larger square size for more extensive wound areas. Suited to moderate to large chronic wounds and pressure ulcers where a broader foam coverage area is needed and the soft silicone border is clinically appropriate for the periwound skin condition.

Biatain Silicone Adhesive Dressing 20cm x 20cm

The largest size in the range, providing broad foam coverage for extensive wound areas. Suited to larger chronic wounds and pressure ulcers under clinical supervision where the soft silicone border is the preferred fixation approach.

When selecting a size, ensure the foam pad covers the entire wound bed with the silicone border resting on intact periwound skin on all sides.

Do Not Use Biatain Silicone Adhesive Dressing If

• The patient has a known allergy or sensitivity to silicone, polyurethane foam, or any component of the dressing.
• The wound is infected or at risk. Biatain Silicone Adhesive Dressing contains no antimicrobial agents.
• The wound is dry or minimally exuding.

Precautions

• Single use product. Do not reuse or reapply.
• Monitor the skin around the wound at every dressing change. Even silicone borders can cause irritation on very fragile or broken skin.
• Do not use MRI scanning with the dressing in place.
• Reassess at each change. If infection develops, switch to an antimicrobial dressing and seek clinical assessment.

Adverse Effects

• Local skin irritation or sensitivity at the border — less common than with acrylic adhesive, but possible in patients with very fragile skin.
• Wound desiccation if exudate falls. Reassess dressing choice.

Biatain Silicone Adhesive Dressing Is Suitable For

• Patients with fragile or damaged periwound skin where a soft silicone border provides gentler adhesion and removal than a standard acrylic adhesive border
• Patients who have experienced adhesive border skin trauma with standard foam dressings and require a less traumatic fixation approach
• Patients on long-term corticosteroids or with age-related skin fragility where skin stripping from adhesive borders is a clinical concern
• Moderately to heavily exuding clean wounds where self-adhesive silicone-bordered foam is clinically appropriate and infection management is not needed
• Adults and children under healthcare professional supervision

Both are self-adhesive polyurethane foam dressings from Coloplast with no active agents. Biatain Adhesive Foam uses a standard acrylic adhesive border. Biatain Silicone Adhesive Dressing uses a soft silicone adhesive border. Choose Biatain Silicone Adhesive Dressing when fragile periwound skin, a history of adhesive border trauma, or the repositionable application property makes silicone adhesive the preferred choice. Choose Biatain Adhesive Foam when a standard adhesive border is appropriate and the broader size range including 7.5cm x 7.5cm and 18cm x 18cm is needed.

Biatain Silicone Adhesive 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 five sizes: 10cm x 10cm, 12cm x 20cm, 12.5cm x 12.5cm, 15cm x 15cm, and 20cm x 20cm.

Pharmacy Planet stocks Biatain Silicone Adhesive Dressing alongside Biatain Adhesive Foam, Biatain Non-Adhesive, and the full Biatain range. Our pharmacists can advise on whether a silicone or standard adhesive border 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 all five sizes of Biatain Silicone Adhesive Dressing alongside the full Biatain range. All products are genuine and sourced through regulated supply chains.

Our pharmacists are available to advise on whether a silicone or acrylic adhesive foam format is most clinically appropriate, and on when referral for specialist wound assessment is appropriate.

References

1. Coloplast. Biatain Silicone Adhesive 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.