Hydroveen provides a dressing that overcomes the drawbacks of currently available products. Hydroveen, an Iodinated Hydrophilic Polymer, provides a wound dressing that protects wounds, including those resulting from burns and infection, by preventing tissue drying at the protected area and maintaining the wound's acid pH. Hydroveen provides a wound dressing that is hydrophilic and is capable of releasing therapeutic amounts of free iodine to the wound over prolonged periods.