Types of Medical Gloves and Their Uses: Nitrile vs. Latex vs. Vinyl

In the United States, as per the statistics reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 52 million surgical procedures are conducted every year. During these surgeries, the healthcare staff are at the highest risk of getting infected due to their exposure to the open wounds and microorganisms. As a protective measure, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) has been made mandatory. This includes wearing different types of medical gloves, gowns, and masks depending upon the procedure to be conducted.

In this article, let us go through some types of medical gloves and their uses. In addition, let us also learn about some of their best brands available in the market.

What are Medical Gloves?

Medical gloves are the disposable hand coverings worn by the healthcare staff to remain protected against infection-causing agents. The purpose of wearing gloves is to reduce the risk of germ transfer while handling blood or other bodily fluids during surgical and non-surgical procedures.

Medical gloves are an essential component of personal protective equipment (PPE) due to their importance in the maintenance of hygiene within healthcare facilities.

What are the Types of Medical Gloves?

Different types of medical gloves are available in the market, all of which are known for varying applications. Three of these commonly employed types of medical gloves have been detailed below:

Nitrile Gloves

Nitrile gloves are the type of medical gloves that are known for their durability as well as strength. Although high flexibility is not one of their plus points, these nitrile gloves work best while handling medical waste or any sort of hazardous chemical substances due to their exceptional puncture-resistance.

Pros

• Strong and durable
• High resistance against multiple chemical agents
• High resistance to tearing and puncturing
• Low risk of allergic reaction due to absence of latex

Cons

• Higher cost as compared to other types of medical gloves
• Non-biodegradable items
• Less elasticity than the latex-based products

Uses

Nitrile gloves are a type of medical glove that is used as an alternative to latex gloves due to their hypoallergenic nature. These are extensively used in hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, dental care centers, as well as cleaning facilities. Some of their prominent applications include the following:

• Nitrile gloves are employed by healthcare professionals during the physical examination of patients. These protect the wearer from potentially dangerous microorganisms that could be transferred from patients to the healthcare staff.
• Nitrile gloves are also a good option while conducting surgical procedures.
• These types of medical gloves are also used for maintaining hygiene while performing patient care tasks.

Latex Gloves

Latex gloves are the oldest medical gloves that have been in use for decades. This is because of the protection they offer against blood-borne pathogens including viruses. However, the major issue with their use is the allergic reaction that affects the healthcare staff wearing them as well as some of the patients with sensitive skin during physical examination.

Although if you are not allergic to latex, these medical gloves are comfortable and highly flexible.

Pros

• Highly elastic and flexible
• Have suitability for precise action
• Low risk of tearing or puncturing

Cons

• Medium tolerance to certain chemical agents
• Hard to detect the damage on the glove
• Possible skin irritation due to latex-based construction

Uses

Latex gloves are employed for performing multiple tasks within healthcare facilities. These include the following:

• Latex gloves are used while handling open wounds as these offer protection against blood-borne as well as other disease-causing organisms.
• These are also used during surgeries due to the comfort they provide and the precision they offer.
• Latex gloves are also commonly used within dental care facilities.

Vinyl Gloves

Vinyl gloves are disposable products that are one of the most inexpensive types of medical gloves. These are manufactured using medical-grade polyvinyl chloride or PVC, which is a petroleum-based film. Vinyl gloves offer some degree of protection against chemical or biomedical exposure but are not comparable to that provided by nitrile and latex.

Pros

• Lightweight and easy to use
• Thin and flexible
• High sensitivity to touch
• Cost-effective option

Cons

• Suitable for use during procedures of shorter duration
• Low durability
• Low resistance to chemicals

Uses

Unlike nitrile and latex gloves, these vinyl medical gloves are only suitability for low-risk tasks such as taking vital signs, handling clean medical equipment, routine patient examination, etc. These should not be employed in situations where the risk of exposure to infectious agents is higher.

Different Types of Medical Gloves at Health Supply 770: Features and Specifications

Medical gloves are a part of personal protective equipment that is worn by the healthcare staff while conducting essential medical procedures. The gloves reduce the exposure to the pathogenic organisms and thus prevent the healthcare staff from getting affected.

While learning about the uses as well as pros and cons of 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)

Product Details

Curaplex 104498300: TritonGrip EC nitrile exam gloves are powder-free products that are highly resistant to snags, punctures, abrasions, etc. Moreover, these are also resistant to several chemical agents that are in both solid and liquid form.

In addition, these TritonGrip EC nitrile exam gloves have an extended cuff size that covers the wrist area along with the hands, ensuring additional forearm protection. The textured fingertips also provide an enhanced grip. These types of medical gloves also have a 6 mil thickness and are strong with high durability.

Furthermore, no irritant material like latex has been employed during the manufacturing of these TritonGrip EC nitrile exam gloves. This way, the product remains safe for use among individuals with high sensitivity to allergic materials.

These TritonGrip EC nitrile exam gloves are also powder-free and non-sterile products that are suitable for a single use only. The product meets the guidelines set in the NFPA 1999-2013 certification and has been manufactured under the ISO 13485 quality system. The material is also biocompatible.

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 come in extra-small size and a limon-green color. These offer protection against microbes as well as chemical agents, as they provide high barrier protection as well as tactile sensitivity.

Moreover, these Halyard 48797: PUREZERO nitrile exam gloves have a 12-inch length and are powder-free. The fingertip thickness is 4.7 mil, while the product has a palm thickness of 3.5 mil. These Halyard 48797: PUREZERO nitrile exam gloves have a shelf-life of three years.

Ventyv 10336105 Nitrile Exam Gloves Large Lavender Chemo Tested

US$95.88

Product Details

Ventyv 10336105 nitrile exam gloves come in a large size and in lavender color. The product has been chemo-tested and is non-sterile. Moreover, these Ventyv 10336105 nitrile exam gloves provide an excellent comfort fit that ensures a stronger grip during various medical applications.

Furthermore, these Ventyv 10336105 nitrile exam gloves have a standard cuff length with a beaded cuff. The textured fingertips also allow a stronger grip during both dry and wet conditions. The length of the glove is 9 inches with a typical fingertip thickness of 2 mil or 0.05 mm.

The chemo-testing of these Ventyv 10336105 nitrile exam gloves indicates that the product is suitable for use while handling chemotherapeutic drugs. In addition, the comfort and fit of the product are unmatched. These Ventyv 10336105 nitrile exam gloves have also been online chlorinated.

PremierPro 43160: Polyisoprene Surgical Gloves, Size 6, White, Chlorinated

US$81.88

Product Details

PremierPro 43160: Polyisoprene surgical gloves are sterile products that come in white. These products have been chemo-tested, which means the product can be used for handling chemotherapy drugs.

Moreover, these PremierPro 43160: Polyisoprene surgical gloves are ambidextrous and come with a thickness of 9.5 mil at the palm and finger. Furthermore, the product is constructed using polyisoprene, which is strong and durable, while the product is free from natural rubber latex.

2336 DYNAREX SAFE TOUCH LATEX GLOVES, POWDER FREE, SM 1000CS

US$98.26

Product Details

2336 Dynarex Safe Touch latex gloves are powder-free products that are strong and flexible. Their textured fingertips allow enhanced grip while using the product. This way, the medical procedures conducted using these 2336 Dynarex Safe Touch latex gloves occur precisely.

Moreover, 2336 Dynarex Safe Touch latex gloves have a sleek design and come with a polymer lining with a beaded wrist cuff that ensures that the product is easy to don without tearing. This way, the product can withstand heavy-duty use while keeping the hands protected.

Furthermore, these 2336 Dynarex Safe Touch latex gloves ensure hand comfort that prevents physical fatigue during long-term use. The powder-free design prevents allergies and does not produce any powdery residue after use.

CARDINAL 88TN06XXL Nitrile Exam Gloves 2XL Chemo Tested

US$126.88

Product Details

CARDINAL 88TN06XXL nitrile exam gloves offer an enhanced level of protection against microbes as well as chemical agents. These types of medical gloves have been designed for medical examination. The product is single-use and non-sterile.

Moreover, these CARDINAL 88TN06XXL nitrile exam gloves are constructed using strong and flexible material that is free from latex. These products also have a textured fingertip design that offers enhanced tactile sensitivity and grip. The cuff length is standard with a beaded cuff design.

Furthermore, these CARDINAL 88TN06XXL nitrile exam gloves have been chemo-tested, which renders them resistant against chemical products used within the healthcare facilities as well as in laboratories.

*Note: The prices mentioned in the article are taken from the Health Supply 770 website. They may vary over time.

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

Physicians, surgeons, and other healthcare staff are exposed to bacteria, viruses, and other disease-causing agents on a daily basis. This exposure is inevitable while working within healthcare facilities. However, the use of personal protective equipment can significantly lower the exposure risk.

Different types of medical gloves are available in the market, which include nitrile, latex, and vinyl-based products. Although all of these have numerous applications, the choice narrows down to the type of procedure to be performed. Moreover, different types of medical gloves have varying pros and cons, which should be kept in mind before selecting a suitable product.

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 types of medical gloves, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.

References

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/inpatient-surgery.htm