Dexcon Global

Stay Connected:

Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin-in
dexcon_logo_2020-02
SIGN IN
dexcon_logo_2020-02
SIGN IN

| Posted on |

What Is the Importance of Choosing the Right Medical Gloves?

It’s necessary to choose the right hospital gloves if you’re working in a healthcare facility—a clinic, hospital or laboratory—in order to perform your task well with ease and comfort. You can choose different types of medical gloves that are available in the market. However, you also need to consider the comfort level and protection against diseases, toxins and infectious substances.

Medical gloves are proven to be highly beneficial in terms of performing surgeries because they protect healthcare professionals from getting in contact with deadly contaminants. These hospital gloves truly play an essential role not just in the healthcare sector but also across different industries. 

Now, let’s get to know more about the types of medical gloves in general

Types of Medical Gloves

Natural Rubber Latex Gloves (NRL)

This type of gloves has been the leading choice of healthcare professionals for decades. The material itself provides you comfort, and it maintains your fine hand movement. But some are allergic to NRL products which are responsible for occupational asthma and contact dermatitis. That’s why these people use alternatives to the NRL gloves.

Polythene (Plastic)

A type of hospital gloves that are often loosely fit with restricted elastic strength. Polythene gloves are not recommended for clinical settings but are valuable when it comes to food preparation and handling.

Nitrile

High-quality nitrile gloves for sale in the market are an ideal alternative if you are allergic to latex. Nitrile provides a great biological barrier, so it is best suited when you’re handling certain chemicals. However, there is a possibility of tearing once it is used.

There are also what you called black nitrile disposable gloves, which are mostly used by people in trade-based jobs—like technicians and mechanics. The black colour also makes them ideal for hairdressing, tattooing or any job that needs a lustrous glove.

With the spike in numbers of companies bringing in nitrile gloves, their prices are dropping.

Polychloroprene (Neoprene)

his has similar physical properties to natural rubber latex and is appropriate for settings that are latex-free. Polychloroprene gloves can be used if you’re in contact with body fluids and when handling glutaraldehyde. Yet there are environmental issues because these hospital gloves release hydrogen chloride on incineration when being disposed of.

Vinyl (Synthetic Copolymers)

Vinyl hospital gloves are best for procedures that are non-aseptic, as well as tasks with minimal risk of contact with biofluids. These gloves are penetrable to viruses that are blood-borne. They also have low tensile strength, which makes them prone to leakage.

How Do I Choose Medical Gloves?

Given the various types of hospital gloves, you have a lot of options when choosing the type suitable for you. Latex, nitrile and vinyl are amongst the three primary options. But first things first, identify what function and properties you need from the gloves according to the task you’re using the gloves for. Below are some key points to consider when choosing the right gloves.

The gloves you’re using must not split or tear, regardless of what task you’re using them for. Latex and nitrile medical gloves are way sturdy compared to vinyl ones. This makes them suitable for jobs that are more stressful. The extra durability comes with thicker and dense gloves, although this equates to a loss of feeling or sensitivity.

If part of your task in the medical setting is to handle instruments or feel a vein, then stretchy latex and close-fitting gloves are what you need. Thin nitrile gloves can also get the work done, but they provide less sensitivity versus latex gloves. Hence, vinyl medical gloves are not suitable for these tasks.

Medical gloves provide a perfect balance between dexterity and comfort if they fit snugly in your hand with no loose areas yet with some added stretchiness. When doing a certain task that requires you to manipulate your fingers easily, latex is the most suitable material. Plus, latex medical gloves offer sizing flexibility as they can stretch to fit even when a smaller size is needed.

Vinyl medical gloves, on the other hand, are less stretchy and must be the right size. Otherwise, they are either too tight and split or too loose and wrinkly.

As for thin nitrile medical gloves that are available for sale, they provide more stretchiness, snug fit and comfort yet you need to buy them in the right sizing.
Gloves are prone to tearing during use if they are not stretchy enough. Nitrile and latex are both tear-resistant, particularly in the cuff area. However, nitrile is prone to tearing once punctured if you’re working in an environment where there is a risk of a pinprick. Another thing to consider is that gloves are also prone to splitting if you have long or sharp fingernails.
Latex gloves are not for everybody. Some people are allergic when using them. The symptoms can vary from mild to severe reactions and are often caused by direct contact with the gloves. Some also get allergic irritations because of the powder from the glove being carried in the air.

If you’re one of those people allergic to latex, then vinyl or nitrile gloves are best for you. If you’re working in an industrial setting, you can purchase black nitrile gloves for sale in the market.

Dexcon | Leading Medical PPE Supplier in Australia

Keep up to date with the latest developments to find the right medical gloves for your tasks. If you need a reliable supplier of medical gloves and other personal protection products, check us out at Dexcon.


Dexcon is a distributor of various PPE and medical devices both in Australia and the world. We provide a seamless procurement service offering PPE solutions through our extensive network of industry contacts, manufacturers, and wholesale distributors across the globe. Contact us for more details.

Post you might want to read...

How To Choose The Right Mask

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, people have realised the importance of masks. Previously, masks were worn in polluted cities to protect the lungs …

Your Guide To The Different Types of Gloves

The medical industry thrives on gloves. Can you imagine doctors treating patients or conducting operations without wearing gloves? Gloves protect the wearer …

COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test: A Comprehensive Guide

The COVID pandemic has changed the world, especially the medical industry. Many discoveries have been made to ensure the safety of the …

Why Should You Use Surgical Masks?

Surgical masks are an essential commodity in today’s world. With new variations adding to the global pandemic, safety is a priority for …

Read More