Wound dressings, methods for forming the wound dressings, and methods for using the wound dressings are described. Wound dressings include a polymeric composition that includes a biocompatible polymer and a pH indicating agent. The polymeric composition can be at a wound contacting surface of a wound dressing in the form of, e.g., a fiber, a hydrogel, or a microsphere. The color of the polymeric composition as determined by the pH indicating agent can indicate the presence of infection or a chronic wound state. The wound dressings can be used for early detection of healing abnormalities in acute, chronic, or burn wounds.
