Adhesive compositions are described which include one or more gelling agents in combination with one or more non gelling disintegrants. The adhesive compositions exhibit relatively high fluid handling capacities and static absorption properties thus enabling their use in a wide range of medical applications. Various adhesive articles such as dressings and related methods of use are also described which utilize the adhesive compositions. In preferred embodiments the adhesive component is an acrylic adhesive the gelling agent is selected from the group consisting of (i) carboxymethyl cellulose (ii) superabsorbent polymer and (iii) combinations of (i) and (ii) and the non gelling disintegrant is selected from the group consisting of (i) fully pregelatinized potato starch (ii) microcrystalline celluloseand (iii) combinations of any of (i) - (ii).
