Do you know about medical gloves?

Medical gloves are widely used in clinical settings. They are categorized into examination gloves and surgical gloves, with the latter requiring higher quality standards, greater sensitivity, and stricter manufacturing controls. As a result, the production processes for examination gloves and surgical gloves differ.

Raw Materials

Medical gloves can be made from natural rubber latex, nitrile rubber, or vinyl (PVC).

Natural rubber latex is derived from the sap of rubber trees. However, latex gloves are unsuitable for individuals with latex allergies.

Nitrile rubber, a synthetic material made from acrylonitrile and butadiene, was developed as an alternative for those allergic to latex.

Powdered vs. Powder-Free

Medical gloves can be powdered or powder-free.

Powdered gloves are coated with cornstarch for easier donning. However, the powder can cause adverse effects in patients, such as tissue irritation.

Therefore, most examination and surgical gloves today are powder-free.

Sterile vs. Non-Sterile

Surgical gloves must be sterile (free of microbial contamination) and are individually packaged in sterile pairs.

Non-sterile gloves, typically packed in boxes of 100 or 200, are used for general medical examinations or low-risk procedures.

Color

Medical gloves commonly come in white, but other colors (blue, purple, green, black, etc.) are also available.

Note: Color does not indicate material or performance.

Nitrile gloves are often purple or blue, while PVC gloves are usually transparent.

Textured vs. Smooth Surface

Textured gloves (with a frosted or matte finish) provide better grip and are more popular.

Nitrile and latex gloves can be textured, but PVC gloves are always smooth due to material limitations.

Thickness

Thickness (measured in millimeters) is a key specification for medical gloves.

Different parts of the glove vary in thickness, with the fingers and palm typically being the thickest.

Thicker gloves offer better mechanical protection and chemical resistance.

Conclusion

Medical gloves come in different materials, with non-sterile versions used for general purposes. Surgical gloves demand higher precision, better fit, and superior tactile sensitivity, making them more expensive than standard medical gloves.