The present invention relates to a wound dressing composition that is capable of gelling upon contact with a fluid derived from a human or animal body, and which is able to maintain the integrity of the gel for a period of time that is longer than about 24 hours. The exemplified wound dressing compositions comprise chitosan fibres, lactic acid, SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate) and a poloxamer, (e.g. Poloxamer 188). Also claimed are methods of producing the compositions, a method of absorbing fluid discharged from a physiological site of an animal or human body, the use the wound dressing composition in absorbing such fluid and a method of maintaining gel integrity for a period of at least 24 hours.
