MELOLIN ADHESIVE DRESSING

A wound dressing that combines a low adherence wound contact face, an absorbent core, and an integrated adhesive border in one unit removes the need to source and apply separate fixation materials. The dressing is applied once and holds itself in place. Melolin Adhesive Dressing is a self-contained island dressing from Smith & Nephew. The central wound contact pad uses the same perforated polyester film low adherence face, and absorbent core as plain Melolin. An integrated adhesive border holds the dressing against the surrounding skin. Two sizes: 6cm x 8.3cm and 10cm x 8cm. No prescription required.

Melolin Adhesive Dressing is a regulated medical device from Smith & Nephew. It is the island dressing format of the Melolin range, also known by the product name Melolite. The dressing integrates the Melolin wound contact technology into a self-adhesive island dressing format: a central pad with a perforated polyester film low adherence wound contact face and an absorbent fibre core, surrounded by an adhesive backing that extends beyond the pad on all sides to form an adhesive border.

The island format makes Melolin Adhesive Dressing a single complete unit. Unlike plain Melolin, which has no adhesive component and requires secondary fixation such as tape or a retention bandage, at every application, Melolin Adhesive Dressing holds itself in place through the adhesive border. The border adheres to the dry intact skin surrounding the wound, securing the low adherence pad over the wound without any additional fixation materials.

The wound contact pad at the centre of the dressing uses the same perforated polyester film technology as the non-adhesive Melolin pad. The perforated film allows wound exudate to pass through from the wound surface into the absorbent core above, while the smooth polyester film does not form the fibre bonds with wound tissue that cause dry gauze dressings to adhere as exudate dries. The absorbent core holds the exudate away from the wound surface throughout the wear period.

Melolin Adhesive Dressing is available in two sizes: 6cm x 8.3cm and 10cm x 8cm. The total dressing dimensions include both the central wound contact pad and the surrounding adhesive border.

The adhesive border of Melolin Adhesive Dressing must rest on dry intact skin to adhere effectively. Do not apply to wet, greasy, excoriated, or fragile skin, as the border will not bond and the dressing will shift. If the wound contact pad feels adherent at removal, irrigate with sterile saline through the perforations before lifting the dressing. Melolin Adhesive Dressing is not waterproof. Protect from prolonged water contact during bathing.

Perforated Film Low Adherence Wound Contact

The wound contact surface is a perforated polyester film. The perforations allow wound exudate to move from the wound surface upward into the absorbent core. The polyester film itself is smooth and does not interact with wound tissue in the same way as fibrous materials. When gauze or fibrous wound contact materials become saturated and then dry against a wound, the fibres embed in forming wound tissue and become difficult to separate without disrupting the wound surface. The polyester film of Melolin Adhesive Dressing reduces this risk by presenting a smooth, non-fibrous surface to the wound.

Absorbent Core

Above the perforated film is the absorbent core, which draws exudate upward through the perforations and retains it within the core material. By holding exudate in the core rather than allowing it to accumulate between the film and the wound surface, the dressing keeps the wound area relatively dry while still managing exudate output during the healing period. The dressing should be changed when the core reaches saturation or when the border lifts.

Adhesive Border

The adhesive border extends beyond the wound contact pad on all sides and adheres to the dry intact skin surrounding the wound. The border holds the dressing firmly in position without the need for tape, bandage, or other fixation. For most routine wound management situations, the adhesive border provides adequate hold throughout the normal wear period. In patients with active lifestyles or wounds over mobile joints, the border may lift earlier, and the dressing may need more frequent changes.

Suitability vs Plain Melolin

Melolin Adhesive Dressing and plain Melolin share the same wound contact technology. The choice between them is a question of whether secondary fixation is practical and appropriate. Melolin Adhesive Dressing is more convenient for home use, for wounds where tape or bandaging would be cumbersome, and for wounds in locations where the adhesive border can adhere reliably to intact surrounding skin. Plain Melolin is more appropriate where the periwound skin is fragile or compromised, where the wound site makes adhesive border application difficult, or where compression or retention bandaging is already being used and can serve as fixation.

Preparation

• Wash hands and use gloves.
• Clean the wound with sterile saline. Pat the wound and surrounding skin completely dry.
• The adhesive border requires dry intact skin to adhere.

Application

• Select the appropriate size: 6cm x 8.3cm or 10cm x 8cm.
• Remove the release liner.
• Position the central pad directly over the wound.
• Press the adhesive border down onto the surrounding skin, working from the centre outward.
• No secondary fixation is required.

Removal and Change

• Change when the absorbent core shows signs of saturation, the border has lifted, or when clinically indicated.
• Lift one corner of the adhesive border and peel slowly back along the skin.
• If the wound contact pad feels adherent, irrigate with sterile saline before lifting.
• Assess the wound at each change.

Do not peel the adhesive border upward at a sharp angle from fragile or elderly skin. Peel slowly along the skin surface. On sensitive skin, consider dampening the border edge with water before removal to soften the adhesive. If skin irritation develops under the adhesive border, seek clinical guidance on an alternative fixation approach.

Melolin Adhesive Dressing 6cm x 8.3cm

A smaller island dressing where the total dimensions, including the adhesive border, are 6cm x 8.3cm. The central wound contact pad is smaller than the total size. Suited to minor wounds, small lacerations, and post-procedure wound sites where a smaller self-adhesive island dressing provides adequate wound coverage with a secure adhesive border.

Melolin Adhesive Dressing 10cm x 8cm

A larger island dressing where the total dimensions, including the adhesive border, are 10cm x 8cm. The central wound contact pad covers a larger wound area. Suited to moderate-sized wounds, post-operative incision cover, and wound sites where the 6cm x 8.3cm dressing does not provide adequate central pad coverage.

In both sizes, the wound should sit entirely within the central pad area, with the adhesive border resting on intact periwound skin on all sides.

When Not to Use Melolin Adhesive Dressing

• Wet, greasy, excoriated, or fragile periwound skin where the adhesive border will not adhere.
• Infected wounds.
• Wounds where adhesive contact with surrounding skin is contraindicated.

Precautions

• Apply to completely dry skin only.
• Do not apply creams or lotions to the adhesive area before application.
• Irrigate with saline before removal if the wound contact pad feels adherent.
• Peel border slowly along the skin surface, not upward, on fragile skin.
• Not waterproof. Protect from prolonged water contact.
• Single use only.

Adverse Effects

• Adhesive skin irritation or contact dermatitis at the border in sensitive individuals.
• Skin stripping if the border is removed forcefully from fragile skin.
• Wound contact pad adherence if the dressing is left beyond the normal change interval on a dry wound.

Suitable Uses

• Minor wounds, lacerations, and cuts where a single-piece island dressing is clinically appropriate, and the periwound skin is dry and intact
• Post operative wound cover for minor surgical incisions, where the clinical team confirms adhesive island dressing management is appropriate
• Suture removal site support where continued cover is needed after sutures come out
• Adults and children, with care on sensitive or elderly skin at the adhesive border

Melolin Adhesive Dressing vs Plain Melolin

Both products use the same perforated polyester film low adherence wound contact technology from Smith & Nephew. Melolin Adhesive Dressing is the island format with a self-adhesive border that makes it self-contained and requires no separate fixation. Plain Melolin is the pad format with no adhesive that requires secondary fixation at every use. Choose Melolin Adhesive Dressing for convenience, for home use, and where the periwound skin is dry and intact. Choose plain Melolin where secondary fixation is already available, where the periwound skin is fragile or compromised, or where the wound site makes adhesive border application impractical.

Melolin Adhesive Dressing does not require a prescription. Both sizes are available from Pharmacy Planet without a clinical consultation.

Our pharmacists can advise on which size suits the wound being managed and on when plain Melolin or another wound dressing format would be more appropriate.

Seek clinical assessment for infected wounds, wounds not healing as expected, or wounds where the adhesive border cannot adhere to the surrounding skin.

• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat and sunlight.
• Do not store above 25 degrees C.
• Keep in original sealed sterile packaging until immediately before use.
• Do not use if the sterile packaging seal is broken.
• Check expiry date before use.
• Apply as soon as the packaging is opened.
• Keep out of reach of children.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC registered online pharmacy. Both Melolin Adhesive Dressing sizes are genuine Smith & Nephew products stocked through regulated UK supply chains.

Our pharmacists can advise on Melolin Adhesive Dressing and on the broader Melolin range for different wound management situations.

References

1. Smith & Nephew. Melolin Adhesive Dressing / Melolite — Product Information. Smith & Nephew. https://www.smith-nephew.com. Accessed June 2026.
2. NHS. How to treat minor cuts and grazes at home. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cuts-and-grazes. Accessed June 2026.
3. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Wound care products: selection and prescribing. https://www.nice.org.uk. Accessed June 2026.