Exam gloves are one of the first lines of defense in defending medical workers from harm and other serious health risks. Examination gloves are a type of personal protection equipment (PPE).
Medical gloves and other personal protective gear are in high demand while the coronavirus scenario persists. Because of this, it could be challenging to find the gloves your institution now utilizes, therefore you might need to find some other gloves that can satisfy your requirements.
Gloves have numerous applications across numerous industries. You must take into account a number of aspects while selecting the best and safest gloves in order to determine which exam glove materials are suitable for your facility.
It is crucial to realize that there are numerous types of examination gloves, and their usage, which we will discuss today.
Types of Examination Gloves
Nitrile Examination Gloves
A unique type of polymer called nitrile is made of several different substances that, when mixed, produce a basis that resembles rubber. Since their introduction, non sterile nitrile exam gloves have become widely used in a variety of professions, including the medical and healthcare sectors, particularly in settings and areas where there is a high risk of contact and contamination. At the time of their invention, nitrile gloves were more frequently used in chemical and abrasion units around the world.
Uses of Nitrile examination gloves:
- Reduced Allergy
Exam gloves made of nitrile come through as the hero in this situation because they can provide the same level of stringent protection against contamination and contact as latex without causing the irritation and pain that latex frequently causes.
Nitrile has a very unique chemical composition that doesn’t contain any substances or powders that could negatively interact with the body of the user. Instead, it is a polymer made up of certain chemicals. Nitrile Exam gloves are a unique alternative to Latex because they are unlikely to cause an allergic reaction, especially in clinical and surgical settings.
- Fit And Flexible
Nitrile has superior stretchy capacities by nature. Since it conforms to the user’s hand contours the minute it is put on and fits effortlessly like a second skin, Nitrile Exam Gloves outperform many other exam glove versions on the market.
Nitrile is a heat-activated substance, making this possible. In other words, a wearer’s natural body heat activates the material’s monomers, causing it to smoothly conform to the shape of their hands for a secure and water-proof fit. Naturally, this facilitates the handling of objects even without the addition of more powder. Nitrile gloves also provide better precision and flexibility in movement because of their greater stretchability.
- Soft And Supple
Nitrile is a substance that is both flexible and soft as well as robust and durable. Exam gloves made of nitrile are nearly three times more resistant to rips, scratches, and tears than exam gloves made of latex.
But their puncture resistance isn’t 100 percent. Nitrile gloves may tear as a result of severe scratches and abrasions. However, one advantage of nitrile is that even the tiniest puncture pulls away the entire substance, reducing the possibility of accidental contamination or contact. This is not the case with latex because small pores in it frequently go undetected and accidental contact occurs.
Latex Examination Gloves
Worldwide, latex gloves are utilized extensively in the healthcare and medical industries as well as a variety of other workplace settings. The Hevea brasiliensis, also known as the “rubber tree,” is the source of the natural rubber latex (NRL) used to make these gloves. Latex examination gloves, in particular, are one of the most often used types of disposable gloves in both domestic and industrial applications. Natural rubber latex is frequently found in many household items.
Latex gloves have advanced significantly in terms of design and production since they were first created by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company to safeguard surgeons’ hands from a variety of chemicals and biological dangers. One of the most popular types of PPE (Knowledge: What are ppe types?) (personal protective equipment) on the market today is latex gloves.
Uses of Latex examination gloves:
- Due to the level of protection they offer users against numerous workplace risks, such as bodily fluids, infections (including bacteria, viruses, and other microbes), and certain chemicals, latex gloves continue to be a popular choice for many industries.
- It is disposable, sterile, and sanitary. It provides wearers with a defense against biological and chemical threats, making it the perfect option for individuals who interact with patients when performing veterinary work, caring for them, or performing dental work.
- Due to their flexibility, latex examination gloves are ideal for jobs that call for a high level of dexterity, touch sensitivity, and flexibility.
- For this reason, surgeons, dentists, dental hygienists, veterinarians, and other medical professionals frequently favor them.
- They also provide great protection against various caustics and detergents, as well as outstanding tear and puncture resistance.
Vinyl Examination Gloves
Vinyl gloves are comprised of PVC, a film with a petroleum base. Vinyl disposable gloves’ main selling point is their low cost of production. However, they are less resilient than latex and nitrile and provide only sporadic defense against chemical or biological exposure. Stretching or flexing vinyl gloves causes the molecules to split, compromising the integrity of the barrier that serves as a protective layer.
Uses of Vinyl examination gloves:
- Vinyl gloves are created from PVC (polyvinyl chloride), which is then combined with a plasticizer to make them more flexible and wearable. Synthetic rubber gloves come in a variety of different styles. Vinyl gloves do not include chemical accelerators, in contrast to nitrile gloves.
- These protective gloves are latex-free and a good substitute for latex gloves for persons with Type I allergies because they are composed of synthetic materials rather than natural rubber latex. Vinyl gloves are suitable for usage by persons with Type IV allergies because they don’t contain any chemical accelerators.
- A variety of allergic reactions, such as skin rashes, inflammation, runny nose, and cold-like symptoms, blisters and cracking, and in severe cases, anaphylactic shock, can be brought on by both types I and type IV allergies (particularly in the case of latex allergies). Because of this, vinyl gloves are nevertheless frequently used in settings where allergies can be an issue. Both powdered and non-powdered vinyl gloves are available.
PE Exam Gloves
Also one of the most widely used and least expensive plastics is polyethylene. It is a plastic with exceptional chemical stability that is frequently used as an insulator and made for films that come into contact with food. Its initials are PE (bags and foils). The process of producing disposable gloves involves cutting and heat-sealing the film.
Gloves with the lowest cost requirements are made of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), which is stiffer and harder than Low-Density Polyethylene (see the use at petrol stations or department stores). Low-density polyethylene (LDPE – Low-Density PE) is a more flexible and less rigid material, making it ideal for gloves that need to be more sensitive and have softer welds, like those used in the medical industry.
Uses of PE exam gloves:
- The majority of the time, PE gloves are used for light-duty operations that demand frequent glove replacements. This glove is extremely helpful in food service lines, deli counters, and other high-volume applications. It has a loose fit design for simple on and off applications.
Exam Gloves Powder-free
Unlike powdered variants, powder-free latex gloves are free of an inside powder coating (often cornstarch). This powder coating is included to make disposable gloves easier to put on and take off, lowering the likelihood of tearing the glove and reducing sweating and, consequently, the amount of moisture inside the glove.
Despite the advantages of having powder-lined gloves, some workplaces require powder-free alternatives because of worries about contamination and latex allergies.
Uses of exam gloves powder-free:
- Latex gloves are still chosen by many workplaces despite alternatives like nitrile and vinyl gloves being common options in several industries. This is because of their greater elasticity, the touch sensitivity they offer, and the dexterity they allow users.
- They are a very flexible safety glove since they guard against a variety of chemical and biological dangers. However, latex allergies remain a significant issue for many organizations, particularly those where employees have contact with the general public, such as hospitals, and other healthcare settings.
- Due to the chlorine washing procedure and the availability of low-protein types, powder-free gloves considerably lower the danger of latex protein particles entering the skin and lungs. Therefore, powder-free, low-protein latex gloves should be used in any location where latex allergies are believed to be a considerable danger but where latex is still the best material for gloves.
Powdered Exam Gloves
Cornstarch is added to powdered gloves to make them simpler to put on, especially in crowded spaces, and to keep the gloves from clinging to one another. Long-term use of powdered gloves may result in the powder adhering to the user’s skin and triggering allergies or sensitivities. Additionally, cornstarch powder may aggravate latex sensitivity or allergies.
Concerns regarding powder from powdered gloves clinging to hands, clothing, or surfaces after removal and contaminating food service sites have also been voiced. It is crucial to remember that nitrile or vinyl gloves (Learn: Vinyl Vs. Nitrile Gloves) do not typically cause allergies when they are powdered.
Uses of powdered exam gloves:
There are, of course, advantages and disadvantages to using powdered latex gloves in every workplace, and it makes sense that there is a lot of misunderstanding regarding the potential risks associated with powdered gloves.
These gloves are a very flexible solution for many businesses, even though they should be avoided in the healthcare and medical fields due to the possibility of airborne latex particles.
They are perfect for usage in the following fields because of how simple it is to put on and take off and how much moisture they supply to reduce:
- Cleaning and maintenance duties
- domestic duties and home care
- processing and preparing food
- general meeting
- Local government work
- Decorating and painting
- Printing
What Are Exam Gloves Made Of?
Any healthcare setting must have disposable gloves on hand. They not only shield healthcare workers and patients from exposure to potentially harmful bacteria, but they also support industry-wide standards of hygiene and care. You shouldn’t be surprised, but you might not have known that not all disposable gloves are made equal.
Certain items are better suited for specific medical situations due to different materials and design decisions. Nitrile, latex, or vinyl are the three materials most frequently used to create disposable gloves.
What Are Examination Gloves Used For?
Exam gloves are one of the common safety measures used to stop medical professionals from spreading infectious diseases to patients. Gloves shield employees from infectious substances brought on by patients.
Gloves that are still intact are necessary for adequate protection. Only a relatively small number of prospective studies have been conducted on this topic, despite the fact that the risk of perforation of examination gloves is assumed to correspond with the length of wearing.
Exam gloves could be used in surgical、dental、veterinary industry and so on.
FAQs
What Size Exam Gloves Do I Need
Finding the appropriate glove size is the next crucial step after choosing the appropriate material for your glove. Of course, if you purchase gloves frequently, you likely believe that the numerical sizes provide all the information you require. In actuality, you’ll need to go a little further if you’re looking for gloves that fit you precisely. And believe us when we say that taking the extra effort to get the perfect size surgical glove is worthwhile if you’re seeking gloves that do the job correctly.
You can simply measure the breadth of your hand because that is how gloves are often sized. Simply get a measuring tape and measure your hand’s widest point with it to accomplish this. Do not include your thumb while measuring. The result is your glove size, measured in inches. The rough breakdown in US sizes is as follows:
- XS for 6-7 Inches
- S for 7-8 Inches
- M for 8-9 Inches
- L for 9-10 Inches
- XL for 10-11 inches
- 11.5″ and up: XXL
Where to Buy Exam Gloves
You can contact Kemei for exam gloves, they are a china medical gloves manufacturer. Kemei takes pride in being a major healthcare provider in China, where its innovative medical supplies are used in almost all healthcare facilities. The quality of medical gloves from Kemei could be guaranteed, because Kemei have 510(K), ISO, CE, TUV, FDA, SGS certificates for them.
Our line of medical protection solutions is preferred by healthcare facilities in developed nations because of its unmatched quality and dependability. Kemei has kept improving their disposable examination gloves factory in order to meet the growing demand for protective medical products worldwide. They are also latex examination gloves manufacturer. Numerous cutting-edge machines have been acquired by us for quick and effective production.
Along with the equipment, we also applied the norms of the certificates we received from various inspection bodies in our production process. This ensures that nothing less than top-notch medical supplies ever leave our premises.
Blogs you may be interested in:
2. Medical Gloves Buying Guide
3. Types of medical gloves and their uses
4. Top 10 Glove Manufacturers in the World
