Methods of sterilizing articles such as wound dressings, include the steps of providing an article that includes a polymer layer, applying an aqueous solution to the polymer layer and applying electron beam radiation to the article. The polymer layer includes a hydrophobic organic matrix that includes an elastomeric polymer and hydrophilic polymeric microparticles dispersed within the elastomeric polymer. Applying the aqueous solution to the polymer layer at least partially swells the hydrophilic microparticles of the polymer layer. In some articles the polymer layer includes an elastomeric polymer, hydrophilic polymeric microparticles dispersed within the elastomeric polymer, and hydrophilic polymer particles with greater than 10 micrometers average particle size dispersed within the hydrophobic organic matrix. These articles may be sterilized by applying either electron beam or gamma radiation.
