Are nitrile gloves latex free? Yes, of course; that’s why this kind of gloves is ideal for those who are allergic to latex. Plus, there are many more excellent reasons you should opt for nitrile gloves, which you’ll learn as you read further.
Hand protection for business and industry comes in a seemingly infinite number of forms. And I know there are various aspects to consider when selecting the proper kind of gloves.
Medical professionals are increasingly worried about whether or not the gloves they are wearing are made without latex. This, however, is only a sliver of the bigger picture. In this article, let’s find out if nitrile gloves are latex free together with various other aspects to think about when selecting a medical-grade or examination glove.
There are many more things that you should know before we should determine whether or not nitrile gloves are latex free or not. So, let’s delve into this article deeper!
Nitrile Exam Gloves: What Are These?
If you’re wondering what medical-grade gloves are, they are used by our dear workers in the healthcare and hygiene industries, as well as by some laboratory personnel. And these are then disposed of after usage. Perhaps, the best time to wear these gloves is when they examine or evaluate patients, and that’s where its name comes from, according to the purpose to which it is made of.
It’s worth noting that these materials are not for use with surgical equipment, unlike surgical gloves. One of their primary purposes is to keep healthcare professionals and patients safe by preventing the transmission of dangerous or infectious materials. As a result, they must be disposed of after contact with potentially contagious or hazardous objects or any patients.
Unlike natural rubber latex gloves, nitrile exam gloves are artificial from synthetic rubber. As a result, nitrile is chemical and oil resistant. Much more, it’s less likely to rip and puncture.
Due to their superior durability over latex and particularly vinyl gloves, nitrile gloves are becoming increasingly popular in the healthcare and medical industries. In contrast, a wide range of organizations continues to use latex gloves commonly. We’ll see just how bad this is in the following paragraphs.
Why Choose Latex Free Gloves?
Latex-free gloves have several advantages. Latex exam gloves have long been used by medical professionals and those in hygiene-related professions like dentistry. Many workers in these industries choose latex gloves because of their sensitivity and flexibility.
Using latex gloves saves money while still allowing workers to be attentive to their surroundings. However, while latex gloves are soft, they can be punctured easily, and they are less resistant to oil-based solvents and chemicals than other materials. What’s good about nitrile gloves is that they are perfect for dealing with oil-based chemicals due to their improved resilience and increased durability, especially when talking about punctures. please read here nitrile vs latex vs vinyl gloves
One more reason to avoid latex gloves is the possibility of developing a latex allergy while wearing them. Do you know that around 6 percent of the population is allergic to latex?
Latex allergy symptoms can range from skin rash, hives, redness, itching, wheezing, and breathing issues. What’s worse, anaphylactic shock, and even death, have been described in scarce circumstances.
For these reasons, healthcare and medical professionals have a lot to worry about. But, much more, clients and patients who contact latex users may develop latex allergies.
Patients are put in danger when latex exam gloves are used, but switching to nitrile exam gloves completely removes this risk. However, if an employer is contemplating latex gloves, it is recommended to have a thorough risk assessment to identify any potential health risks.
Why Choose Nitrile Gloves?
Nitrile gloves are a fantastic option because they are latex-free and last a long time. But then, many companies have avoided using nitrile gloves since they were rigid at first and impeded doctors’ ability to examine patients properly.
Don’t worry, though. Recent advances in the nitrile glove industry have made them more user-friendly and valuable for a more extensive range of tasks. In addition, ultra-lightweight nitrile gloves have been developed for the market to suit the sensitivity and comfort requirements of latex gloves.
Since nitrile gloves can withstand tearing and puncturing without needing to be replaced as frequently as latex gloves, they’re a wise investment over the long term.
Are Nitrile Gloves Latex Free?
So, are nitrile gloves latex free? The thing is that wearing nitrile gloves around latex-allergic persons is safe because they don’t contain any latex. So that means that the answer to your question is in the affirmative.
These gloves used to be less flexible and sensitive on the hands and fingers than latex gloves were. However, nitrile exam gloves are now more flexible, thinner, and more suited for usage in healthcare and related industries due to advances in the production process.
It would be best to note that glove powder can interfere with wound healing and contaminate working surfaces and tests; these gloves make them unsuitable for many applications. The good news is that nitrile exam gloves are now available in static-free and powder-free forms.
It’s A Wrap!
I hope we’ve answered your question: are nitrile gloves latex-free? And you’ve already known that it’s answered in the affirmative. Aside from being latex-free, gloves made of nitrile are more flexible and thinner, but chemical resistance, puncture, and tear resistance have stayed the same over the past few years. Medical professionals should be aware that robustness is prized over sensitivity in the medical and healthcare professions.