There are infinite options when it comes to selecting gloves for commercial and professional use. Examination gloves, in particular, can pose several concerns when it comes to selecting the right type.
Examination gloves, often known as medical-grade gloves, are commonly used by medical, healthcare, and hygiene professionals, as well as some laboratory personnel. Examination gloves, unlike surgical gloves, are used only for examining patients and objects and are not suitable for use with surgical equipment. Their sole task is to prevent cross-contamination between patients and healthcare personnel, as well as potentially hazardous or contaminated materials. On that account, they must be disposed of after coming into contact with each patient or each hazardous or contagious material.
Disadvantages of Latex Gloves
Whether the gloves are latex-free is a significant factor for workers using examination gloves. Latex gloves have traditionally been used as examination gloves by individuals in the medical and sanitation sectors. Due to the flexibility and sensitivity offered by these types of gloves, latex has been a preferred choice for many workers in these fields.
Presently, the prime reason people are picking out alternatives to latex is that many people suffer from latex allergies. According to studies, up to 6% of the population is allergic to latex. Potential symptoms of latex allergies range from skin redness, rash, hives, or itching to difficulty breathing. Anaphylactic shock and even death can occur in rare circumstances. This is a severe issue for healthcare and medical workers in particular. Latex allergies affect not only the users but also the patients and clients they come in contact with.
Another reason for selecting an alternative is that although latex gloves provide a high degree of sensitivity, they can easily be punctured and are generally less resistant to oil-based agents and solvents.
What are nitrile examination gloves?
Unlike natural rubber latex gloves, nitrile examination gloves are made of synthetic rubber. The nitrile material is resistant to oil and a variety of solvents and is also tear-resistant and puncture-resistant. Given their superiority to latex gloves, particularly in terms of endurance, these latex-free examination gloves are becoming a prominent choice for the medical and healthcare fields.
Benefits of using Nitrile Examination Gloves
Nitrile gloves are made from synthetic rubber that does not contain latex, making them safe to use for those who have a latex allergy. These gloves were originally less flexible than latex gloves and provided less sensation to the fingers and hands. Due to technological advances in the manufacturing of nitrile examination gloves, they have become thinner, more flexible, and better suited for use in healthcare-related fields.
Latex-free nitrile gloves are also more resistant to oil-based chemicals and offer greater endurance, especially when it comes to punctures.
Glove powder can contaminate working surfaces, laboratory equipment as well as interfere with wound healing. Therefore, static-free and powder-free nitrile examination gloves are also available making them ideal for various applications.
Choosing the right gloves
Nitrile latex-free examination gloves are an impeccable option for workers. Despite this, several businesses have shied away from using nitrile gloves because they were originally rigid and limited users’ ability to examine patients.
However, enormous advancements in the manufacturing of nitrile gloves have been made in recent years, making them more user-friendly and suitable for a wide range of jobs. Modern manufacturing processes have seen the introduction of ultra-lightweight variants of nitrile gloves to the market in order to meet the comfort and sensitivity benefits of latex gloves.
Furthermore, the long-term durability of nitrile gloves reduces the need for frequent replacement due to tearing and puncturing, making them a more economical alternative to latex gloves.
Nitrile examination gloves have a significant benefit over latex examination gloves, not only in terms of the absence of latex but also in terms of their durability. This is especially significant for individuals working in the healthcare and medical fields, where durability is just as important as sensitivity, if not more so.
Discussion about this post