Abstract: A wound dressing adapted for preventing pooling of wound exudate and for promoting healing comprises, in order:(a) a layer consisting essentially of hydrogel for placement on a wound, the hydrogel being characterized as being wound friendly and for absorbing and acting as a reservoir for wound exudate;(b) an intermediate layer disposed over said hydrogel layer. The intermediate layer comprises a tacky hydrogel or hydrocolloid adhesive, the tacky hydrogel or hydrocolloid adhesive characterized as having a greater absorbent capacity that does the hydrogel in the hydrogel layer; the underlying hydrogel layer is characterized as being more friendly and consequently more suitable for direct wound contact than the overlying adhesive hydrogel of greater absorbent capacity; the intermediate layer having sufficient moisture permeability therethrough to the surface of the dressing;(c) an outer oxygen- and vapor-permeable layer adapted for transpiration of at least a portion of fluid diffusing through the dressing.