When your hands are likely to come into touch with infectious pathogens, radioactive materials, or chemicals, wear gloves.
Gloves are graded based on the task they are being used for. Here you may find information about the different grades of gloves that are ideal for a variety of tasks.
Medical gloves prevent cross-contamination between patients and caregivers while also shielding them from potentially harmful substances and microorganisms. It's critical to pick the right gloves and utilise them correctly for optimal protection.
When it comes to disposable gloves, there are a variety of solutions to choose from to fulfill a variety of purposes. Latex gloves, nitrile gloves, and vinyl gloves all have different levels of protection, comfort, and durability.
Medical Disposable gloves types are as following:
Medical gloves are commonly produced of polymers such as latex, vinyl, and nitrile, but disposable gloves made of other materials such as neoprene are also available. The following is a fast comparison of nitrile vs. latex vs. vinyl gloves.
Latex is a kind of natural rubber. The slight distinctions between pure natural rubber and latex are due to chemical compounds added to the liquid rubber sap during the processing process. These compounds improve natural rubber's capacity to retain "solid surface tension" when being stretched (so that holes do not emerge in the stretched glove) as well as its resistance to UV radiation (sunlight). Of course, the latex is almost always colored with specific dyes while it is still in liquid form.
In general, these chemical additives are non-allergenic. However, an allergy to natural rubber proteins is the most prevalent reaction to latex products that some people develop. Those who have a latex allergy usually switch to nitrile or vinyl gloves.
Butadiene and acrylo-nitrile co-polymerize to form nitrile. It is particularly resistant to petroleum-based lubricants and hydrocarbon fuels.
Vinyl and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) are created from the same materials. Polyvinyl Chloride is a petroleum-derived substance.
There are literally hundreds of distinct PVC formulations with "pf" prefixes.
"Planar tensile strength" and "Compressive Redactability" are two of the properties tested for each formula. Obviously, resistance to various external substances is an important consideration for gloves.
GLOVE TYPE | DEFINITION | ADVANTAGE | PROTECTION LEVEL |
Latex Gloves | made from natural rubber | Maximum comfort, fit, flexibility, & tactile sensitivity | Bacteria, viruses |
Nitrile Gloves | Made from synthetic material | Stretchy, durable | Chemicals, viruses |
Vinyl Gloves | Made from synthetic material, sometimes referred to as synthetic | Comfortable and cost-effective synthetic option | Chemicals |
Latex gloves are frequently preferred by healthcare providers because they offer the best elasticity, comfort, and fit. Latex gloves, in particular, aid surgeons since they are suitable for sensitive work, enabling greater precision and tactile sensitivity.
Despite its benefits, latex gloves have become a concern for many health workers due to an increase in latex allergies, and many are opting for non-latex glove choices such as vinyl and nitrile gloves instead.
Vinyl gloves composed of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) are often the least expensive latex-free gloves. Many people, however, prefer to use higher-end gloves, such as nitrile gloves. Nitrile gloves are frequently preferred because they most closely match the stretchy feel of latex gloves while also being exceptionally durable and puncture resistant.
Another distinction to make when selecting between latex and latex-free gloves is the level of protection provided by each kind of material. Latex gloves, in general, give the best protection against germs and viruses, whereas synthetic gloves provide greater chemical protection. Nitrile gloves, among the several varieties of latex-free gloves, give a better level of viral protection in addition to chemical protection.
Each of the following options is meant to give particular benefits for different applications. It is necessary to understand these benefits in order to select the appropriate glove type for the desired usage.
GLOVE OPTION | EXPLANATION | ADVANTAGE |
Powdered Gloves | Powdered gloves, mainly with cornstarch | Because of the powder, donning is made easier. |
Powder-free Gloves | gloves that have had their powder coating removed | Cleaner to use, less allergic reaction |
Chlorinated Gloves | Chlorine-treated powder-free gloves | Simple to put on, particle-free to avoid allergic reactions |
Non-chlorinated Gloves | Powder-free gloves with a gel or silicone particle coating | Longer shelf life, neutral colour, and no odours |
Examination Gloves | Medical grade gloves, sterile or non-sterile | Protects against exposure to blood or body fluids. |
Surgical Gloves | gloves that have been sterilised and are of high quality medical grade | Provides high-quality protection against exposure to blood or body fluids. |
Chemo Gloves | Gloves that have been approved for use with chemotherapy medications | Protects against chemotherapeutic drug exposure. |
Gloves with Aloe | Gloves with an organic aloe vera coating | Hands are moisturised while in use. |
Gloves with Oatmeal | Gloves made from colloidal oatmeal | Dry skin is prevented and protected using this product. |
Due to the technique required to remove the powder coating from the glove, powder-free gloves might be more costly. Powder-free gloves, on the other hand, reduce allergies by lowering protein and chemical content. Powder-free gloves are also cleaner to use than powdered gloves since there is no residue left on clothing or other surfaces.
Cornstarch is commonly used to lubricate powdered gloves, making them considerably simpler to put on. Cornstarch coatings have replaced other powdering options that have been known to irritate tissue, such as lycopodium powder and talc. Even cornstarch, when in touch with tissues, can obstruct recovery, therefore powder-free gloves are generally recommended for surgeries and other delicate operations.
If you wish to utilise powder-free gloves, you'll need to pick whether you want chlorinated or non-chlorinated gloves.
Chlorinated gloves are powder-free gloves that have been chlorine-treated to make them easier to put on for those who don't want to wear powdered gloves but still want the benefits that come with them. To minimise allergy responses induced by soluble proteins, these gloves are particle-free. Non-chlorinated gloves are more widely used than chlorinated gloves, yet some people prefer gloves with a more neutral colour and odour. Another disadvantage of chlorinated gloves is that they have a shorter shelf life - they become brittle after about a year, and when exposed to heat, they can last even less than a year.
Non-chlorinated gloves, on the other hand, look more like standard exam gloves in appearance and have no chlorine odour. These gloves, however, are not particularly popular since they are difficult to put on and contain particles, as a 'gel coat' of microscopic gel/silicone particles is applied to make them slightly simpler to put on.
Surgical and exam gloves are both medical-grade gloves that are used in medical operations.
For patient examinations and blood testing, medical exam gloves might be used. These gloves may also be used to cope with incontinence, spills, and messes around the house.
Surgeons and operating room nurses both use surgical gloves. Because they are used in surgical operations, these disposable gloves must exceed higher quality criteria and are typically sterile. Surgical gloves provide a superior fit and tactile sensitivity, as well as more exact sizing.
Chemo gloves are medical gloves that have been thoroughly examined for use with chemotherapy medications. When choosing chemo tested gloves, it's important to be sure they've been tested for the medications you'll be using.
Gloves made of aloe or oatmeal are two options for caregiver care. Hands are soothed and moisturised when wearing gloves with a heat-activated aloe coating. Gloves that include colloidal oatmeal skin protectants, which assist maintain the skin's moisture barrier, preventing and protecting dry skin, can also be beneficial to hardworking hands.
There are more factors to consider while purchasing gloves in addition to the ones described above. Various coatings, for example, are used on different gloves. Some gloves are smooth, while others are textured partially or completely to improve grip. Another thing to think about is the glove's cuff. Most gloves are beaded to make them simpler to remove, and others have an extended cuff for further covering and protection.
Examination gloves are typically available in sizes XS, S, M, and L. Some brands may offer an XL size. Surgical gloves are frequently more precisely sized since they are worn for a substantially longer period of time and require high dexterity. Surgical gloves are sized depending on the circumference of the palm (excluding the thumb) measured in inches at a position just above the thumb's sewn.
Typical size varies from 5.5 to 9.0 with 0.5 increments. Some companies may additionally provide size 5.0, which is especially important for female practitioners.
One of the first things to check for is size. Every worker requires dexterity, and wearing the improper size of glove can have a significant influence on someone's work. Wearing the proper glove size can also improve comfort, which may inspire workers to wear their allocated PPE.
Disposable gloves provide good contamination protection when used and removed appropriately. To get the most out of wearing gloves, follow the steps below.
Disposable gloves should never be washed or reused. Remove gloves, wash and dry hands, and put on a new pair of gloves in any of the following situations:
To avoid contamination from the outside of the gloves, it is critical to use correct glove removal procedures such as the one described below.
Double-gloving, or wearing two layers of gloves, provides much superior protection against inner glove perforation, lowering the risk of infection caused by punctures or penetration.
To avoid post-operative infections, surgical gloves serve as the primary barrier between the patient and the surgeon. Surgical gloves are required when a healthcare professional is in close contact with blood, bodily fluids, tissues, or secretions. You should look for the following features when you want to purchase medical gloves:
High-quality reusable rubber gloves that can be used in a variety of situations such as the kitchen, gardening, and so on. Hands can be washed, cleaned, and protected from dirt and water.
Key Features
Non-sterile examination gloves are used by doctors in hospitals and clinics for medical examinations. However, these are strongly advised for caregivers caring for patients at home, particularly in the case of viral infection.
To reduce tackiness and aid wearing, a fine powder is sprayed to both the inside and outside surfaces of these disposable safety gloves. It is safe to breathe and touch it.
Key Features
The examination gloves have been evaluated for dermal sensitization and skin irritation and have been shown to be safe.
Product Information
Nitrile gloves work admirably in a harsh, high-stress environment. These nitrile-based synthetic exam gloves are noted for providing excellent protection against a wide range of chemicals as well as being a good barrier against blood-borne diseases. Nitrile gloves protect hands from bruises, cuts, piercings, and other physical harm.
Key Features
Nulife Latex Powdered gloves with a wrinkle-free fit for comfort. Because of the very soft rubber, finger fatigue is avoided and efficiency is boosted. It is the safest handwear for surgeons due to its strict standards.
Details:
Material: Natural Rubber Latex
Colour: Pale Yellow in colour, with colour variations
Sterilization: Non Sterile.