A yarn 3, 4 comprises a blend of gelling fibres and non-gelling fibres, wherein the yarn comprises at least 50% w/w gelling fibres. A knitted structure is knitted from the yarn. Preferably, the gelling fibres are selected from the group consisting of pectin, alginate, chitosan, hyaluronic acid and chemically modified cellulosic fibres, or combinations thereof. The non-gelling fibres can be cellulosic fibres, such as lyocell or viscose. The knitted structure may also comprise one or more additional agents selected from antimicrobial, antiseptic, antifungal and/or anti-inflammatory agents. For example, the knitted structure may incorporate polyhexamethylene biguanide or can be impregnated or coated with honey. In another aspect a gelling foam dressing comprises a sheet of gelling foam laminated with a scrim, wherein the scrim comprises gelling fibres and non-gelling fibres. A three-dimensional textile material (65, Fig. 9) is also claimed which comprises gelling fibres. A wound dressing for use in negative pressure wound therapy comprises an occlusive backing layer fitted with a drainage port (75, Fig. 10), and the three-dimensional textile material. A composite wound dressing comprises the knitted structure or the three dimensional textile material.
