Medical gloves are disposable gloves, considered as personal protective equipment. And are used to protect the wearer and the patient from the spread of microorganisms that may potentially cause infection or illness during examinations and medical procedures.
Medical gloves usually include examination gloves, surgical gloves, and chemotherapy gloves. Generally, the devices that ensure certain performance criteria, such as leak resistivity, specific physical properties, and biocompatibility, are considered suitable for use in the medical industry.
Medical gloves can either be vinyl, latex, synthetic polymer or nitrile and are sterile or non-sterile. No matter their type, medical gloves can protect both the patient and the wearer.
Doctors and medical practitioners use disposable gloves to provide barrier protection between themselves and the patient.
They usually use non-sterile latex or nitrile gloves. Latex gloves have been used in the medical industry for longer periods. However, nitrile gloves are more popular these days as they are more durable and offer higher puncture-resistant.
Different Types of Medical Gloves
Examination Gloves
Healthcare professionals working in the medical industry are required to protect themselves and others from cross-contamination during medical procedures and examinations. Examination gloves are a suitable option for use in unsanitary situations and can be disposed of right after use.
However, these medical gloves are not fabricated with the highest quality or thickest material and can be purchased in latex, vinyl or nitrile with different thickness levels
Surgical Gloves
Surgical gloves are worn by surgeons and other healthcare professionals. That have direct contact with infections, blood, sharp tools and other harmful objects and contaminants that could result in severe illnesses and infections. The Surgical gloves should be of high quality, and mostly, surgeons prefer nitrile gloves due to their high-end durability and puncture resistance.
Nitrile Gloves
Nitrile gloves prove to be useful in several industrial settings because of being resistant to a wide range of chemicals and other hazardous substances and also have good tensile properties.
These gloves are manufactured from synthetic rubber and are impervious to water, which makes them excellent for washing up, and they are also resistant to punctures. Nitrile gloves are available in a number of colors and sizes and come in a range of thicknesses, making them extremely versatile disposable gloves.
Latex Gloves
Latex gloves are fabricated from a biodegradable material, produced by rubber trees. Despite the advancements in synthetic materials, latex gloves are still the most popular glove material because of being highly resilient and elastic. These gloves also provide a comfortable fit.
Latex gloves offer great flexibility, which makes them perfect for tasks that require a steady hand and fluid movement. These disposable gloves are strong and reliable and effectively prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Latex gloves are a great choice for medical professionals, general physicians, surgeons and others who need a high level of touch sensitivity.
Vinyl Gloves
These are latex-free gloves that do not contain accelerators or latex, which can cause different types of allergies. Vinyl gloves are manufactured from a synthetic, protein-free, non-biodegradable material containing plasticizers and polyvinyl chloride. Plasticizers are added to polyvinyl chloride to make these gloves more comfortable and flexible.
Vinyl gloves are one of the most affordable types available, which makes them a popular choice among healthcare professionals. They also provide loose-fitting and are easy to change. These gloves are thinner than latex, and some people who are allergic to latex can use them efficiently. People who are in direct contact with non-hazardous materials can also wear them for low-risk procedures.
Benefits of Medical Gloves
Medical gloves significantly reduce the spread of infection and also protect people going out in public places by keeping their hands germ-free and dry. Moreover, microbes easily spread in healthcare institutions due to physical contact between patients and healthcare professionals. Usually, most microbes spread through hands, so gloves can significantly reduce the spread of infections and lower the risk of various contagious diseases.
Disposable gloves are available in a wide range of sizes from small to extra-large, and choosing the appropriate size glove is essential to ensure the person wearing them is comfortable and not at risk of exposing their hands. A loose-fitting glove increases the risk of falling down, whereas a tight-fitting glove might be at a higher risk of breaking. Therefore, choose the type of glove wisely depending on the fit and material from which it is fabricated.
FAQs
What Kind of Gloves Do Doctors Mostly Use?
Doctors and medical practitioners use disposable gloves in order to maintain a protective barrier between themselves and the patient. Doctors typically use non-sterile latex or nitrile gloves. Latex gloves have been used in the medical industry for longer periods. However, nitrile gloves are now more widely preferred as they offer higher puncture-resistant.
What Kind of Gloves Are Used While Performing Surgeries?
Surgeons generally use special sterilized disposable gloves. Their line of work involves coming into direct contact with open cuts; that’s why they must use sterilized gloves.
What Gloves Are Considered More Suitable in the Medical Industry: Nitrile or Vinyl?
In the medical industry, nitrile gloves are considered to be better than vinyl gloves. Nitrile gloves are manufactured from higher quality materials than vinyl gloves and do not need to be powdered. Moreover, these gloves are less likely to break than vinyl gloves and provide the wearer with better barrier protection.
What Do Nitrile Gloves Protect Against?
Nitrile gloves protect against various harmful contaminants and physical hazards. They provide the wearer with a barrier of protection between them and potential hazards. Nitrile disposable gloves can effectively protect people from viruses, bacteria, microorganisms, biohazards, dirt and chemicals.
Are Latex Gloves Allergic?
Although latex gloves are widely used gloves, many people still experience allergic reactions to them or develop reactions gradually over time. Latex gloves have also been prohibited in some countries due to their potential to cause an allergic reaction. Another disadvantage of latex is that these gloves are not resistant to many hazardous chemical substances and do not provide as much puncture resistance as nitrile gloves do.
