Latex or nitrile gloves? With or without powder?

It is not always easy to choose suitable gloves, especially for professional use. From doctors to dentists, cooks to tattoo artists, to all those who work with chemicals, many professionals use gloves every day to do their jobs safely and effectively. The market is varied and the types of gloves offered are diverse. Each product has particular characteristics that make it suitable for specific functions and needs. Here are some practical tips to guide you and help you choose the most suitable medical gloves such as:

Nitrile Gloves

This type of gloves is an alternative for people allergic to latex proteins. Nitrile gloves quickly spread because of their extraordinary resistance. These gloves have a higher mechanical and chemical resistance rather than other types of gloves. This makes them suitable models in all situations presenting a risk of perforations, cuts, and punctures as well as involving the handling of particularly aggressive chemical agents.

However, nitrile gloves also retain excellent elasticity and a very good ergonomics. Therefore, for use in the medical field, it is good to choose these as a medical glove for medical use. Also available in bright colors, it is easier to spot if the gloves have been destroyed, which ensures they work well in high-risk situations involving infectious materials.

In addition, the nitrile is resistant to many chemicals, especially petroleum-based products, making it an effective material for protection when handling hazardous substances.

The nitrile gloves are often more expensive to produce and buy than the other options that are presented to you.

  • When to Use Nitrile Gloves

Nitrile gloves are used as a Dispositive Medical (in time for examinations and medical interventions), but they are generally chosen by all the specialists. Those who handle potentially sharp or pointed utensils, as well as those people who have to work with harmful chemicals. They are also suitable for contact with various types of food and are therefore increasingly used in the field of food processing.

Latex Gloves

Latex gloves provide a high level of sensitivity, elasticity, and impermeability. These gloves are thin, elastic and perfectly adherent, they have no influence on manual dexterity and fine dexterity while guaranteeing good mechanical resistance.

When using as medical gloves, then the latex gloves provide an excellent barrier against contamination and infection. Meanwhile, the latex gloves offering the added safety and comfort of choosing single-use. Latex models also provide good protection against most caustic and detergent substances, including alcohol.

There is variation in the price of these gloves due to the availability of natural resources. Latex gloves are generally considered cost-effective and biodegradable. Often, the main reason to consider an alternative to the traditional latex glove is the possibility that people are allergic to the product. In schools, offering alternatives to latex allows all students to participate in scientific experiments without the risk of an allergic reaction.

  • When to use latex gloves

The characteristics of latex gloves make single-use latex gloves that is ideal for use in delicate operations. It requiring high manual dexterity and precision and in the event of biological risk. When it is necessary to handle blood or body fluids repeatedly or prolonged. This is why latex gloves are commonly used by dentists and doctors, but their use is also indicated for people working in the field of aesthetics or the preparation of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, given the moderate chemical exposure of these environments.

Latex rubber also has strong elastic properties, providing reliable performance and protection against infection and contamination. In addition, many latex products are lightly powdered inside, which makes them easier to put on.In the market, there are different types of latex gloves. To limit the risk of allergy and sensitization, it is however recommended to always choose products made of biocompatible natural latex with low levels of protein residues.

Gloves With or Without Powder?

Another question that is usually asked when choosing suitable gloves is the presence or absence of powder inside. So, is it better to choose gloves with or without powder?In many cases where it is still used, the powder acts as a lubricant, allowing the gloves to slide better and be easier to put on. In commercially available powdered gloves, maize starch is mainly used as a lubricant.

This solution is not recommended, because of the contact between the latex proteins and the starch particles which, once the gloves are removed, would increase the diffusion of particles in the air and therefore the risk of sensitization and allergic reactions. For this reason, different hospitals have chosen to remove gloves containing powder. In a context without powder, the intolerance reactions and respiratory disorders of the staff are clearly reduced and patients are less prone to postoperative complications.

Choosing the powder-free latex gloves is, therefore, more appropriate, especially in health environments. The risk of allergic reactions and complications is thus reduced, without giving up the characteristics of the glove.

What are the Single-use Gloves?

Single-use gloves have been specially designed to meet the needs of professionals working in the health sector. For example, nurses, caregivers, doctors, surgeons, dentists, prosthetics, veterinarians, laboratory assistants or ambulance attendants. In all these occupations, single-use gloves offer more hygiene and avoid contamination between caregivers and patients.

However, certain medical gloves are more suitable for certain activities. You can indeed find models that offer more comfort and allow greater precision. Single-use gloves also known as medical gloves.

In addition to medical professions, disposable gloves can also be used in other industries. People working in food (central kitchens, canteens, snacks, etc.) can actually use them to prevent contamination of the food and comply with hygiene standards.

As for hairdressers, gloves can appreciate to avoid staining in the human hands when they perform hair coloring. Finally, this type of medical equipment is also suitable for precision activities such as mechanics or tattooing. However, single-use gloves are ideal for all health professionals but they can also be used in many other sectors for reasons of hygiene or protection.