Disclosed are methods for using open-celled polymeric foam wound dressings made from high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs). The wound dressings have a high capillary pressure and may reduce or obviate the need for treatments like negative pressure wound treatment (NPWT). Also disclosed are structures for HIPE foam wound dressings. The HIPE foam wound dressings typically include at least two layers of HIPE foam with different, but homogeneous, average cell sizes. The average cell sizes form a cell size gradient, with cell size typically decreasing from the front or face layer of foam toward the back layer of foam. The back layer of foam may be a collapsed layer, while the front layer or layers may be expanded. Compared with HIPE foams for other absorbent applications, the wound dressing foams may be higher in hydratable salts and higher in initial moisture levels.