Medical gloves are used to protect medical staff from getting exposure to harmful chemicals and harmful infections. They are often used in hospitals and other healthcare settings, but there is no rule that says you have to wear them only in those settings. They can be used by anyone at home to protect their hands and feet from bacteria and germs. Here is a brief comparison of common latex vs. vinyl diabetic medical gloves. And also this article details on Disposable Gloves – Selecting the Right Ones For Medical Procedures.
Vinyl. Vinyl gloves offer excellent puncture resistance and durability, which make them ideal for a variety of medical tasks. However, they can be stiff or scratchy and are unable to prevent contamination. For this reason, they are not the best choice for handling chemicals, such as acids, solutions or antifungals. They are also difficult to use if you need to transfer contaminated fluids or have a large area of exposure, because they can become slippery.
Latex. Latex is similar to vinyl in many ways, except it is softer and more pliable, which makes it more comfortable to handle. Although it is more difficult to shape, some latex gloves have plastic inserts to help with this. They offer excellent puncture and abrasion resistance, but are unable to prevent the entry of bacteria and allergens. For this reason, they are not recommended for handling chemicals or working in medical settings that require prolonged exposure.
Vinyl. Vinyl medical gloves offer good puncture and abrasion resistance, but they can become slippery when they get wet. These gloves may also tear easily, making it difficult to use them for certain tasks. In addition, they are unable to offer the best barrier against infectious organisms and are not flexible.
Synthetic Rubber. Synthetic rubber has all of the benefits of vinyl, but is even more durable. It is able to resist most chemicals, but the resistance wears down over time. It is not affected by moisture, which makes it a popular choice for those who work in healthcare settings. However, this feature may make it difficult to use gloves with latex that are intended for chemicals.
Nitrile. Like vinyl, nitrile is an extremely hard material. This makes it ideal for medical gloves made to resist dangerous chemicals, because it is almost impossible to puncture them. However, because it is so hard, it creates an extremely narrow barrier that prevents harmful chemicals from seeping through. However, this makes it very uncomfortable for healthcare workers to wear, and it can also be difficult to clean because the act of rubbing it away leaves a sticky residue.
Disposable Gloves. While there is no best type of disposable exam gloves, it is best to avoid ones that contain latex. Though many people are comfortable with latex medical gloves, it can cause allergic reactions if they are not used correctly. Since allergies can sometimes be avoided by wearing cotton gloves, it may not be the best solution to purchase latex medical gloves that cause allergies. Also, the cost of these disposable gloves can be high, depending on how often they will need to be changed. They are also generally not the best option for those working in healthcare settings where other types of gloves would be more appropriate.
When choosing disposable medical gloves, it is important to consider how they will be used. Those intended for only vaginal and skin applications should be chosen because they are the softest. For those used during more delicate medical procedures, it is best to choose one that is made from thicker material. If allergies are a concern, there are disposable gloves that are hypoallergenic. These types do not cause allergies and are the best choice for medical gloves used during more delicate medical procedures.
