Medical gloves are one of the essential components of personal protective equipment. As per the data published by the NPR, more than 100 billion disposable exam gloves are used in the US every year. This involves employment in both surgical and non-surgical procedures. But among the different medical gloves options, how can we choose the best ones?
Medical gloves are an essential part of personal protective equipment
In this article, let us learn what medical gloves are and how the best ones should be chosen. In addition, let us also learn about some of their trusted brands available in the market.
What are Medical Gloves?
Medical gloves are a part of personal protective equipment (PPE) that are used to cover the hands and the wrist during medical procedures. These are disposable items that create a barrier between the skin and the possible microbes on or in the patient’s body. This way, the hygiene of the healthcare providers is ensured. Medical gloves can be used for both surgical as well as non-surgical procedures.
Choosing the Right Medical Gloves
While choosing medical gloves for use within healthcare facilities as well as for keeping in a first-aid kit, the following features must be looked into:
Ease of Usage
The first feature to look for in medical gloves is the ease of donning and doffing them. Easy usage is associated with proper size, shape, and construction material, as well as the inner treatment of the gloves.
If a glove is difficult to wear, the chances of it tearing and ripping are high. This can break the necessary barrier between the skin and the infectious or chemical agents being handled. Therefore, choosing medical gloves that are easy to wear is essential.
To ease donning, gloves can be inner-treated with either powder or a polymer coating. In addition, these can also be single-chlorinated. Among the available medical gloves, the latex and nitrile-based products are easy to don as compared to the vinyl ones.
Fit and Sensitivity
Choosing medical gloves that are not only comfortable to wear but also provide a good fit is essential. This is important because a good fit ensures a stronger grip or sensitivity. Moreover, the textured fingertips also add to the holding strength while the gloves are donned.
If you are choosing medical gloves for a first-aid kit, then the products with average grip can also work as they purpose designed to use them while cleaning the wounds or performing personal hygiene. However, for use within healthcare facilities, features like a stronger grip and high comfort cannot be compromised.
In this regard, medical gloves made up of natural rubber latex or nitrile are a good choice rather than the vinyl ones as the latter give a looser fit. However, vinyl gloves are smoother and are, therefore, preferred for tasks related to personal hygiene. Between rubber and nitrile, nitrile-based medical gloves are better in terms of being thinner and having high sensitivity.
Durability and Puncture Resistance
Medical gloves are worn to create a physical barrier between the wearer and the product or wound to be handled. The aim is to prevent any cross-contamination and, thus, prevent the wearer from getting infected. This is a major concern when medical gloves are being chosen for healthcare settings where the risk of exposure is maximum.
It should be kept in mind that the chosen medical gloves should be strong enough to maintain this barrier throughout usage. The glove should not have holes in it or tear quickly to compromise the wearer’s safety. In this regard, nitrile and latex gloves should be preferred as they offer greater stability instead of the vinyl ones that are prone to tearing.
Compatibility
If medical gloves are to be chosen for handling certain chemical substances, it should be ensured that the product is compatible with the construction material of the gloves. This will ensure that the gloves do not tear immediately in case of direct contact with the material, thus ensuring enhanced protection.
Medical gloves are essential during surgical procedures
Selecting Medical Gloves Based on the Risk Level
In medical practice, gloves are mostly employed for patient examination. In addition, handling the open wounds or conducting invasive procedures also demands protection for the healthcare providers provided by medical gloves. In this regard, the following table summarizes some of the medical procedures based on their level of risk and the types of medical gloves suitable for them:
1. Low Risk Procedures
During low-risk procedures, the given criteria indicate what the healthcare professionals will be exposed to. Keeping this in mind, the use of latex and vinyl exam gloves is recommended.
| Criteria | Example | Suitable Medical Gloves |
| Skin is intact No direct contact with bodily fluids No contact with blood Low level of glove stress | Patient transport Medication dispensing Non-invasive physical examination | Vinyl or latex gloves |
2. Medium Risk Procedures
During medium-risk procedures, the given criteria indicate that direct contact with blood and bodily fluids is inevitable. Therefore, the use of latex, nitrile, or neoprene exam gloves is preferred.
| Criteria | Example | Suitable Medical Gloves |
| Invasive procedures Direct contact with bodily fluids Contact with blood High glove stress | Wound care Incontinent care Rectal examination Staple removal IV insertion Isolation precautions | Nitrile, neoprene, or latex exam gloves |
3. High Risk Procedures
During high-risk procedures, the healthcare professionals are exposed not only to blood but also to bone fragments. Moreover, handling the chemotherapeutic agents also puts the healthcare staff at high risk. Therefore, using a nitrile, latex, or neoprene exam glove is your best choice.
| Criteria | Example | Suitable Medical Gloves |
| Administration of chemotherapy High risk of bone fragments Direct blood contact High risk of infections, i.e., HIV, HBV, HCV | ICU Chemotherapy medication handling Emergency care | Nitrile, neoprene, or latex exam gloves |
Medical gloves act as a barrier between the skin and bodily fluids
Different Types of Medical Gloves at Health Supply 770: Features and Specifications
Medical gloves are an essential part of personal protective equipment that protects the healthcare staff from blood and bodily fluids during various medical procedures. These are constructed with vinyl, neoprene, latex, as well as nitrile.
While learning about different types of medical gloves, it is also essential to go through some of their brands available in the market. Some of these well-known brands are also available at Health Supply 770 and have been detailed below, along with their features and purchase links:
Curaplex 104498300: TritonGrip EC Nitrile Exam Gloves, Small, Blue, Extended Cuff (EXP 10/2026)
Curaplex 104498300: TritonGrip EC Nitrile Exam Gloves, Small, Blue, Extended Cuff (EXP 10/2026)
Product Details
Curaplex 104498300: TritonGrip EC nitrile exam gloves are the products that offer high resistance against abrasions, snags, punctures, etc. Being manufactured based on the ISO 13485 quality system, these are powder-free items that are resistant to numerous chemical agents, both solid and liquid.
In addition, these TritonGrip EC nitrile exam gloves offer a longer cuff length to ensure wrist coverage as well as some degree of forearm protection. As for the grip, the product comes with textured fingertips that allow easy grabbing and holding on the objects while wearing these medical gloves.
Furthermore, these TritonGrip EC nitrile exam gloves are highly durable and have a 6 mil thickness. The construction material is free from allergic substances such as latex that renders these gloves suitable for use among people with sensitive skin.
These TritonGrip EC nitrile exam gloves are also biocompatible, non-sterile products that are free from powder. These can only be employed once, as they are single-use products.
Halyard 48797: PUREZERO Nitrile Exam Gloves, XS, Limon-Green Extra, 12 Inch (EXP 06/2025)
Halyard 48797: PUREZERO Nitrile Exam Gloves, XS, Limon-Green Extra, 12 Inch (EXP 06/2025)
US$18.88
Product Details
Halyard 48797: PUREZERO nitrile exam gloves are one of the best medical gloves on the market. These come in green color and have an extra-small size. Owing to their high barrier protection and tactile sensitivity, the product is highly resistant to most chemical substances.
Moreover, these Halyard 48797: PUREZERO nitrile exam gloves have a shelf-life of up to 3 years that renders them long-lasting if bought in bulk. The product is also powder-free and has a length of 12 inches. As for the fingertip thickness, the product is 4.7 mil thick and has a 3.5 mil palm thickness.
Ventyv 10336105 Nitrile Exam Gloves Large Lavender Chemo Tested
Ventyv 10336105 Nitrile Exam Gloves Large Lavender Chemo Tested
US$95.88
Product Details
Ventyv 10336105 nitrile exam gloves are non-sterile personal protective equipment. These have been chemotested, which indicates that the product is suitable for handling chemotherapeutic agents. The large size of these medical gloves suits most users, and they come in the lavender color.
Moreover, these Ventyv 10336105 nitrile exam gloves are comfortable to wear and offer a great fit when donned. This ensures a stronger grip when the product is used for handling sensitive substances during various medical procedures.
Furthermore, these Ventyv 10336105 nitrile exam gloves have a length of up to 9 inches. The fingertip thickness is 2 mil (0.05 mm), which also comes with a textured design for a firm grip. The cuff length is standard with a beaded cuff. Additionally, the product has also been online-chlorinated for easier wear.
2336 DYNAREX SAFE TOUCH LATEX GLOVES, POWDER FREE, SM 1000CS
2336 DYNAREX SAFE TOUCH LATEX GLOVES, POWDER FREE, SM 1000CS
US$98.26
Product Details
2336 Dynarex Safe Touch latex gloves are easy-to-wear products that are powder-free. These have good strength and are flexible enough to keep the user free from physical fatigue during long wearing hours. The fingertips of these 2336 Dynarex Safe Touch latex gloves are textured that allow enhanced grip while different medical procedures are being conducted.
Moreover, these 2336 Dynarex Safe Touch latex gloves offer a beaded wrist cuff along with an inner polymer coating that eases donning and doffing with minimum risk of tearing. The design is sleek and smart. The powder-free nature of the product also prevents allergies.
CARDINAL 88TN06XXL Nitrile Exam Gloves 2XL Chemo Tested
CARDINAL 88TN06XXL Nitrile Exam Gloves 2XL Chemo Tested
US$126.88
Product Details
CARDINAL 88TN06XXL nitrile exam gloves are also chemo-tested, which indicates their suitability for handling chemotherapeutic agents. The construction material is strong and provides strong resistance against different chemical agents in medical facilities as well as laboratories. These are single-use and non-sterile products.
Moreover, these CARDINAL 88TN06XXL nitrile exam gloves are also free from latex, a known skin irritant. To provide a stronger grip, the fingertips of these CARDINAL 88TN06XXL nitrile exam gloves have a textured design that ensures elevated tactile sensitivity. The length of the cuff is standard, and it comes with a beaded design that prevents displacement.
*Note: The prices mentioned in the article are taken from the Health Supply 770 website. These may vary over time.
The use of medical gloves is essential for doctors, nurses, etc.
All different types of medical gloves mentioned in this article, along with many other medical supplies, can be purchased from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products in the shortest possible time. Click the link at the end of the article to check the wide range of medical gloves.
Conclusion
While working in a healthcare facility, the healthcare staff have to be at the forefront. This puts them at high risk of getting infected while handling blood, bodily fluids, organs, bone fragments, etc. As a protective measure, the use of PPE is essential.
In this regard, medical gloves are the products that act as a barrier between the skin and the substance to be handled. These provide protection against infectious agents, chemotherapeutic substances, as well as other substances. Different types of medical gloves are available in the market, but the choice narrows down to the level of risk of the activity to be performed, as well as the comfort a product provides.
As different types of medical gloves are important in healthcare facilities as well as in home settings, these should be purchased and kept in working condition for future use. For purchasing different medical gloves, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.
References
PhD Scholar (Pharmaceutics), MPhil (Pharmaceutics), Pharm D, B. Sc.
Uzma Zafar is a dedicated and highly motivated pharmaceutical professional currently pursuing her PhD in Pharmaceutics at the Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab. With a comprehensive academic and research background, Uzma has consistently excelled in her studies, securing first division throughout her educational journey.
Uzma’s passion for the pharmaceutical field is evident from her active engagement during her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, where she not only mastered industrial techniques and clinical case studies but also delved into marketing strategies and management skills.
