Comprehensive Guide to Medical Gloves

Have you heard of medical gloves? Medical gloves are highly specialized gloves with excellent protection. In this article, you can get the following information:

Table of Contents:

1. What are Medical Gloves?

2. What Material are Medical Gloves made of?

3. What are the Types of Medical Gloves?

4. What is the Difference between Medical Examination Gloves and Medical Surgical Gloves?

5. How to Choose the Size of Medical Gloves?

1. What are Medical Gloves？

Medical gloves are disposable gloves used during medical exams and procedures to help prevent cross-contamination between caregivers and patients. Medical gloves protect hands and skin from harsh chemicals, bloodborne pathogens, and other harmful substances.

2. What are the Types of Medical Gloves？

There are two types of medical gloves: examination gloves and surgical gloves.

Examination gloves

Examination gloves are used for direct or indirect contact with patients' blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, and objects obviously contaminated by body fluids. Examination gloves can be sterile or non-sterile.

Surgical gloves

Surgical gloves are mainly used for operations that require a high degree of sterility, such as surgical operations, childbirth, central catheter placement, and preparation of total parenteral nutrition solutions. Surgical gloves are generally sterile, more precisely sized, have greater precision and sensitivity, and are made to a higher standard.

3. What Material are Medical Gloves made of?

There are three chief materials for medical gloves: natural latex, nitrile, and vinyl. Each material has its self advantages and disadvantages, which must be considered when choosing which material to choose.

Natural Latex

One of the great things about latex is its elasticity, which is why latex gloves offer excellent fit and dexterity, as well as long-term comfort that prevents fatigue.

Latex gloves have excellent tear and puncture resistance and good tactile sensitivity. But because some people are allergic to latex (type I allergy), gloves made of other synthetic materials, such as nitrile and vinyl, have gradually appeared. For people who are not allergic, a latex glove is a good choice because they are comfortable, cost-effective, and highly tactile.

Nitrile Rubber

Nitrile is derived from acrylonitrile butadiene copolymer (NBR) and consists of acrylonitrile, butadiene, and carboxylic acid monomers. It is considered to chief substitute for natural latex, as it is the material most similar to latex in properties, eliminating its allergy risks.

Nitrile is a highly elastic material with high adaptability, providing the user with a comfort similar to natural latex. Another advantage is that nitrile gloves are easier to don than latex gloves because of the inner surface treatment. Additionally, nitrile gloves are more resistant to rubbing and abrasion than other gloves, providing better protection and durability than gloves of similar thickness.

Vinyl

Vinyl gloves are latex-free and suitable for those with latex allergies. The main advantage of vinyl gloves is low manufacturing cost, but it is not as durable as latex and nitrile rubber and has limited protection against chemical or biomedical contact. This material does not fit the user's hand very well and is thin. It is typically used in non-hazardous and low-infection environments.

4. What is the Difference between Medical Examination Gloves and Medical Surgical Gloves?

The medical examination gloves will be thinner, shorter, and not individually packaged, regardless of left and right hands. But medical surgical gloves will be thicker and longer, and the cuffs need to be covered. Divide into left and right hands.

In short, medical surgical gloves not only need to prevent cross-infection but also have a certain blocking effect on blood and some germs to prevent blood and germ infection. Examination gloves are mainly used to avoid cross-infection caused by contact.

Of course, to strictly distinguish the difference between medical examination gloves and medical surgical gloves, you can directly look at the outer packaging, both of which belong to regular medical devices, so the outer packaging will also require the formal product name to be written, directly stating " Medical Examination Gloves" and "Medical Surgical Gloves" you can also use this to distinguish.

5. How to Choose the Size of Medical Gloves?

Medical Examination Gloves

Generally speaking, the sizes of medical examination gloves are XS, S, M, L, XL, etc., among which S, M, and L are the most commonly used sizes. XS and S are suitable for women with smaller hands, M is appropriate for people with wider palms, and L and XL are suitable for men.

Medical Surgical Gloves

Medical surgical gloves are often more precisely sized because they are worn for extended periods of time and require particularly high dexterity. The sizes of surgical gloves mainly include 6.0#, 6.5#, 7.0#, 7.5#, 8.0#, 8.5#, 9.0#, etc. Among them, 6.0# are the most commonly used sizes for women, and 6.5#, 7.0#, and 7.5# are the most commonly used sizes for men.