With the emergence of COVID-19, medical exam gloves have recently gained huge importance. However, they have been in use for decades and play a major role in the healthcare industry. In addition to the medical field, they are also used by workers to handle chemicals and hazardous substances.
Do you know exam gloves are available in various thicknesses? Yes. Also, these gloves are made of different materials such as nitrile vinyl and latex. Wondering which is the best material? To help you select the best gloves, here are some best tips to consider.
5 Essential Tips to Choose the Right Medical Exam Gloves
Right Material
When it comes to selecting medical exam gloves the first thing to consider is the right material as these gloves’ main purpose is to keep the hands safe. The most commonly used material is nitrile. Nitrile is strong, and flexible and comes with no allergy risk.
These are made of synthetic rubber-like material and are the best choice for medical examination gloves. Talking about latex, it isn’t the right choice for all as many people may have an allergy to it. On the other hand, vinyl is best for the food industry as these gloves can handle water well.
Right Quality
Gloves are an important PPE- personal protective equipment as they keep the hands from dangers in work settings and different situations. However, using a glove of low quality is meaningless as it won’t be strong and will not last long.
Therefore, another thing to consider is the quality of the gloves which should be watertight and shouldn’t be easy to tear. Always purchase medical gloves that meet with AQL- Acceptable Quality Level standards. One must check quality carefully as it not only offers longer durability but also ensures safe use.
Thickness
Because nitrile gloves are the best choice when it comes to medical exam gloves, selecting their right thickness is important. Their thickness is measured in mil.
For instance, one mil equals 1/1000 of an inch. Therefore for medical applications, the right choice is 3 to 4 mil. Besides, for higher-risk applications, the right choice is 7 to 8 mil as they provide higher protection.
To make sure the gloves are put on easily, a powdering technique is used inside, be it nitrile or hygiene gloves. However, these days gloves are powder-free yet can be easily put on, thanks to the chlorination process.
So when purchasing make sure to skip the powdered ones and opt for the newer powder-free gloves. Also, be aware that powdered ones are linked with health issues such as airway inflammation and allergic reactions as they can spread germs. Besides, chlorination also gives the gloves a satin-like finish.
