Abstract: The invention provides water swellable wound dressing materials comprising from 5% to 50% of an alginate ester of a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 polyhydric alcohol; from 50% to 95% of a humectant consisting of one or more C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 monohydric or polyhydric alcohols; and from 0% to 30% of water, the percentages being calculated by weight based on the weight of the material when anhydrous. The preferred alginate ester is propylene glycol alginate (PGA). The materials swell but do not dissolve in cold or warm water. Insolubility is achieved by the addition of polyvaent cations such as calcium ions, or by covalent cross-linking of the pga, or by adding from 10 to 35% by weight of water-swellable polysaccharide such as gelatin, or by adding from 5% to 20% by weight of a cationic polymer such as chitosan.

Abstract: The invention provides water soluble wound dressing materials comprising from 5% to 50% of an alginate ester of a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 polyhydric alcohol; from 50% to 95% of a humectant consisting of one or more C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 monohydric or polyhydric alcohols; and from 0% to 30% of water, the percentages being calculated by weight based on the weight of the material when anhydrous. The preferred alginate ester is propylene glycol alginate (PGA). The materials dissolve in water at temperatures below 40.degree. C. The materials are normally produced in the form of soft, conformable, wound-friendly films. The materials may also comprise medicaments or antiseptics.

Abstract: Wound healing compositions comprise from 1 to 20% by weight of a gel forming polysaccharide such as carboxymethyl cellulose and from 15 to 50% by weight of hexylene glycol. Such compositions are strongly antimicrobial, but show low toxicity to fibroblasts.

Abstract: The invention provides aqueous gel compositions for use as wound dressings and comprising from 2% to 10% w/v of alginate and from 25% to 40% w/v of polyhydric alcohol, said compositions being substantially sterile. The alginate is preferably sodium alginate and/or potassium alginate. the polyhydric alcohol is preferably propylene glycol or hexylene glycol. Also provided is a process of making such gel compositions comprising the steps of: providing an aqueous gel having the above composition and sterilizing the aqueous gel. Preferably, the aqueous gel is sterilized by heating.

Abstract: Wound healing compositions comprise from 1 to 20% by weight of a gel forming polysaccharide such as carboxymethyl cellulose and from 15 to 50% by weight of hexylene glycol. Such compositions are strongly antimicrobial, but show low toxicity to fibroblasts.