Choosing Between Latex And Nitrile Gloves

By Author: Michale Horton
Total Articles: 94
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These two styles of medical examination gloves are the most common found throughout the health professions. The gloves are not just found in medical closets, but also in veterinary supplies. Latex and Nitrile gloves deliver slightly different results, which have an enormous effect on the people that recommend them. The nitrile examination gloves are synthetic latex or “synthetic rubber”.

Fit

The overall fit of the gloves is one of the largest deciding points when looking at the two different styles of gloves. The nitrile gloves are not as elastic as the natural rubber latex gloves are. Remember watching all of the movies and TV shows where the doctor walks into the patient’s room and you hear the “slap” of the glove as the doctor puts them on? These were the latex gloves. They are incredibly elastic and create a tight grip around the hand. The nitrile gloves unfortunately, do not bode well for the elasticity. This has kept them out of the surgical fields among others such as the dental supplies. A dentist (as well as a surgeon) work in tight, confined spaces and need all the space ...
... they can get.

For this, the nitrile gloves are used within blood clinics, vaccination clinics or anywhere there is the presence of needles, without the drastic need of a tight latex glove.

Dexterity and Protection

It does not make much sense to put on a glove if it inhibits what the examiner needs to accomplish. The gloves are designed to allow the wearer as much control as they can while adding that important layer of protection. Thanks to the latex’s elasticity, they are traditionally more dexterous than the nitrile gloves. When trying to use “fine-finger” dexterity, the latex gloves outperformed its counterpart, while they averaged the same with gross dexterity.

The protection is arguably the most important aspect of the gloves. Experts agree that the latex gloves are stronger and more flexible than its counterpart, as far as medical professionals are concerned. The nitrile gloves pose a higher resistance to acids and oils, which explains their drastic rise within the automobile and laboratory settings.

Gloves are cut and ripped; it is part of the territory. A small tear in a latex glove and the wearer may not even realize their protection has been compromised. The nitrile gloves

Allergies

Everyone is aware of the latex allergies. Each year it seems more and more people are being interrupted by latex allergies. This allergy can affect both the medical professional as well as the patient they are seeing. Latex is a natural product, and the proteins within the material can have negative reactions with the skin. There is typically a little irritation, but can be a very serious allergic reaction. Many doctor and dental supplies carry a combination of the two types of gloves specifically for that purpose.

Depending on the scenario, latex or nitrile gloves may be the better choice. Nitrile gloves are more expensive than latex, but offer a more broad protection against acids and oils. Latex gloves are much more flexible and dexterous, which is heavily needed when working as a surgeon or within the veterinary supplies.

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