BIATAIN SOFT HOLD Non-Adhesive

Small wounds, digit sites, and localised wound areas sometimes need a compact foam pad that sits gently against the wound surface and comes away cleanly at removal without the complication of an adhesive border. Biatain Soft-Hold Non-Adhesive is a compact 5cm x 7cm foam pad from Coloplast where the wound-facing surface uses a soft hold contact layer to reduce bonding to wound tissue at removal. There is no border adhesive. The dressing is held in place with secondary fixation chosen to suit the wound location. No active pharmaceutical ingredients. No prescription required.

Biatain Soft-Hold Non-Adhesive is a Class IIb regulated medical device from Coloplast. It is a compact foam wound pad measuring 5cm x 7cm. The wound-facing surface of the pad incorporates a soft hold contact layer that separates from wound tissue with less resistance than a standard foam contact surface. The outer face of the dressing has a breathable film. There is no adhesive anywhere on this dressing.

Understanding what "soft hold" means in a non-adhesive context is important. In Biatain Soft-Hold (the adhesive format), the soft hold refers to the outer border adhesive used to attach the dressing to the surrounding skin. In Biatain Soft-Hold Non-Adhesive, the soft hold refers to the wound contact surface itself. The two products use the same material concept at different parts of the dressing for different clinical purposes. In the non-adhesive format, the soft hold contact surface reduces the force needed to separate the dressing from the wound bed at removal, which is clinically relevant when the wound contains fragile healing tissue.

This dressing is compact by design. The 5cm x 7cm format makes it appropriate for small wounds, digit wounds, localised abrasions, minor post-operative sites, and any wound where a larger pad would extend significantly beyond the wound area onto intact skin. The small size also makes it easy to secure with a tubular retention bandage or small fixation dressing.

There are no active ingredients. The dressing does not treat infection, manage wound pain, or provide antimicrobial coverage. It absorbs wound exudate and protects the wound bed. Secondary fixation is required at every application.

Biatain Soft-Hold Non-Adhesive has no border adhesive and will not hold to the skin unaided. It must be secured with secondary fixation every time it is applied. An unsecured foam pad on a wound will move and may cause friction injury. This dressing has no antimicrobial action. Do not use it on infected wounds without seeking clinical advice.

Soft Hold Wound Contact Layer

The wound-facing surface of the dressing incorporates a soft hold material that rests against the wound bed. This contact layer allows wound fluid to move through it and into the foam above while itself presenting a surface that does not bond firmly to moist wound tissue. When the dressing is lifted at the end of the wear period, the contact layer separates without the pulling resistance associated with standard foam contact surfaces bonding to granulating or healing tissue. For small wounds on sensitive sites, removing a dressing without disturbing the wound bed reduces discomfort and protects the tissue that has formed.

Foam Absorbent Body

The foam pad absorbs exudate that passes through the contact layer and holds it above the wound surface. This manages wound fluid without allowing it to pool beneath the dressing. The foam body also provides a degree of physical protection over the wound site. The outer breathable film allows moisture vapour to evaporate, maintaining the foam's capacity to absorb over the full wear period.

Secondary Fixation

Because there is no adhesive on this dressing, how it is secured is determined by the wound location and the surrounding anatomy. For digit and toe wounds, a tubular retention bandage is a practical and gentle fixation method. For wounds on other body sites, a lightweight cohesive bandage, a wound retention dressing, or medical tape applied at the pad edges will hold the dressing in place. The fixation should secure the pad without applying pressure that could restrict circulation at the wound site.

Before Applying

• Wash hands and put on gloves.
• Clean the wound as directed by a healthcare professional.
• Prepare the secondary fixation product before opening the dressing.

Placing the Dressing

• Identify the soft hold wound contact surface and position it against the wound bed.
• The 5cm x 7cm pad should cover the wound fully. Centre it over the wound site.
• Apply secondary fixation immediately to hold the pad in place.
• Do not leave the pad unsecured at any point.
• Note the date and time of application.

Removal

• Remove secondary fixation first.
• Lift the foam pad from the wound. The soft hold contact layer should separate with minimal resistance.
• If any adhesion is felt, dampen the contact surface gently with saline before lifting further.
• Assess the wound at each change.

If the wound has become more heavily exuding since the last change, the 5cm x 7cm pad may no longer have sufficient absorbency. A larger format or a dressing with greater foam capacity may be more appropriate. Speak with a nurse or pharmacist if wound output has increased.

Biatain Soft-Hold Non-Adhesive 5cm x 7cm

Biatain Soft-Hold Non-Adhesive is available in a single size of 5cm x 7cm. This compact rectangular format is suited to small wounds, digit wounds, toe wounds, and wound sites where a larger pad would extend significantly onto intact skin without clinical benefit. The narrow width of 5cm and moderate length of 7cm give useful directional coverage for small elongated wound sites such as linear abrasions and minor post-operative incisions in their later healing stages.

For wound areas that are larger than 5cm x 7cm can comfortably cover, a larger non-adhesive foam format or an alternative dressing type should be considered. Seek clinical guidance if the wound dimensions have changed and this size is no longer appropriate.

When This Dressing Is Not Appropriate

• Infected wounds - no antimicrobial action is present.
• Wounds where secondary fixation cannot be safely applied at the wound site.
• Known sensitivity to polyurethane foam or other dressing components.
• Very dry wounds where an absorbent foam pad would further desiccate the wound surface.

Precautions

• Always apply secondary fixation immediately and confirm it is secure before leaving.
• Do not apply fixation so tightly that it compromises blood flow, particularly on digits and lower limb sites.
• Reassess wound size and output at every change. If the wound has grown or is producing more fluid, this dressing may no longer be appropriate.
• Single use only.
• Remove before MRI.

Adverse Effects

• Skin irritation under secondary fixation - this relates to fixation choice rather than the dressing pad itself.
• Wound desiccation if the wound becomes very dry and the contact layer adheres slightly to the wound surface.

Wounds Where Biatain Soft-Hold Non-Adhesive Is Appropriate

• Small wounds, digit wounds, toe wounds, and localised sites where a compact 5cm x 7cm non-adhesive foam pad provides appropriate coverage
• Wounds in the later healing phase where the wound bed contains fragile granulating or epithelialising tissue and atraumatic removal is a clinical priority
• Wound sites where no adhesive border can be used and secondary fixation is both achievable and appropriate
• Adults and children where clinically directed

How This Sits Within the Biatain Soft-Hold and Biatain Range

The Biatain Soft-Hold range includes two formats. Biatain Soft-Hold is a self-adhesive foam dressing in two larger sizes where the soft hold material forms the outer border adhesive. Biatain Soft-Hold Non-Adhesive is a compact non-adhesive pad where the soft hold material is applied to the wound contact surface. They serve different clinical needs: the adhesive format for wounds where self-adhesion is appropriate, the non-adhesive format for small wounds requiring secondary fixation and gentle wound contact. Biatain Non-Adhesive provides a standard foam contact surface without soft hold technology in a broader size range for comparison.

Biatain Soft-Hold Non-Adhesive is a regulated medical device. No prescription is required. The 5cm x 7cm size is available from Pharmacy Planet and can be ordered without a clinical consultation.

Our pharmacists can advise on whether this compact format is clinically appropriate for a specific wound, whether secondary fixation is practical at the intended wound site, and whether a different dressing type would better suit the wound dimensions and output.

Small wounds that are not healing, are showing signs of infection, or are causing concern beyond what would be expected from the wound type should be assessed by a healthcare professional rather than managed through dressing selection alone.

• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct light and moisture.
• Do not store above 25°C.
• Keep in the original sealed packaging until immediately before use.
• Do not use if the packaging is damaged or has been opened.
• Check the expiry date before use.
• Apply as soon as the packaging is opened.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Dispose of used dressings as clinical waste.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC registered online pharmacy. Biatain Soft-Hold Non-Adhesive is a genuine Coloplast product stocked through regulated UK supply chains.

Our pharmacists can help identify the right compact wound pad format for small or digit wound sites and can advise on secondary fixation options for different wound locations.

References

1. Coloplast Ltd. Biatain Soft-Hold Non-Adhesive — Instructions for Use. Coloplast. https://www.coloplast.co.uk. Accessed May 2026.
2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Wound care products: selection and prescribing. https://www.nice.org.uk. Accessed May 2026.
3. Wounds UK. Principles of wound assessment and management. https://www.wounds-uk.com. Accessed May 2026.
4. NHS. Managing wounds and skin integrity. https://www.nhs.uk. Accessed May 2026.