FAQ

Examination and Surgical. Surgical gloves have more precise sizing with a better precision and sensitivity and are made to a higher standard. Examination gloves are available as either sterile or non-sterile, while surgical gloves are generally sterile.

Medical gloves are disposable gloves used during medical examinations and procedures to help prevent cross-contamination between caregivers and patients. Medical gloves are made of different polymers including latex, nitrile rubber, polyvinyl chloride and neoprene; they come un-powdered, or powdered with corn starch to lubricate the gloves, making them easier to put on the hands.

Corn starch replaced tissue-irritating lycopodium powder and talc, but even corn starch can impede healing if it gets into tissues (as during surgery). As such, unpowdered gloves are used more often during surgery and other sensitive procedures. Special manufacturing processes are used to compensate for the lack of powder.

There are two main types of medical gloves: examination and surgical. Surgical gloves have more precise sizing with a better precision and sensitivity and are made to a higher standard. Examination gloves are available as either sterile or non-sterile, while surgical gloves are generally sterile.

Besides medicine, medical gloves are widely used in chemical and biochemical laboratories. Medical gloves offer some basic protection against corrosives and surface contamination. However, they are easily penetrated by solvents and various hazardous chemicals, and should not be used for dishwashing or otherwise when the task involves immersion of the gloved hand in the solvent.

What are the different types of gloves used in health care?

There are three different types of medical gloves in common use: latex, vinyl and nitrile.

What type of gloves do surgeons use?

Latex and nitrile gloves are commonly used when dealing with high-risk situations involving blood, bodily fluids or patients with infectious diseases. Both latex and vinyl gloves can be used for low-risk, general procedures such as a non-invasive physical exam.

Latex and nitrile gloves are commonly used when dealing with high-risk situations involving blood, bodily fluids or patients with infectious diseases. Both latex and vinyl gloves can be used for low-risk, general procedures such as a non-invasive physical exam.

Nitrile gloves are becoming a standard medical supply for hospitals and emergency personnel. But they are also being used by police officers, security guards, housekeepers, factory workers and veterinarians. Latex gloves, on the other hand, are still widely used by surgeons and doctors performing minor procedures.

Nitrile has a higher puncture resistance than any other glove material. Nitrile also has a better chemical resistance than Latex or Vinyl gloves.

What is Latex?

Latex comes directly from rubber trees.

Why do Gloves say non sterile?