5 Reasons Why Nitrile Gloves Are Best for Medical Use

07 Oct.,2024

 

5 Reasons Why Nitrile Gloves Are Best for Medical Use

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5 Reasons Why Nitrile Gloves Are Best for Medical Use

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1 July

Nitrile is fast becoming the staple glove material in medical environments. It will soon overtake latex, the common choice of medical professionals for well over 100 years. So why is the health industry starting to move away from latex, and why should you choose nitrile?


Nitrile gloves are popular in the medical industries

What Is Nitrile?

Nitrile is a type of synthetic rubber that is also known as nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR). NBR is highly resilient, resistant to harsh temperatures and is common with the fuel and oil handling industries in parts such as hoses, seals, grommets and fuel tanks. It also comes with impressive strength and puncture resistance, which is why it caught the eye of glove manufacturers soon after it was created.

Why Should I Use Nitrile Gloves in Medical Environments?

Durability

As nitrile is a synthetic rubber, it means that it is far more durable than most disposable gloves. This is ideal for higher risk industries, as it reduces the chances of the gloves ripping during use. Some nitrile gloves, such as the Black Mamba and Grippaz Gloves actually boast that sometimes you can even reuse these gloves after one use.

Hypoallergenic and Anti-Sweat

Nitrile tends to be a more hypoallergenic choice than latex because it is synthetic, meaning that it doesn't pose the problems that latex gloves can. This is perfect for the health industries as you can never be certain if a patient's skin will react badly to the material. Nitrile gloves that are powder-free also come with another bonus: they can reduce sweating which will reduce discomfort during a long and hot shift.

Certified (medical grade)

It doesn't matter if you're a surgeon or a care worker, if you're working with patients you need gloves that have the medical certification for the job. While not every single nitrile glove will have the correct medical certification, a lot do, so it's worth checking all of our Nitrile Gloves for the correct standards. Standards to look out for include: 89/686/EEC, ISO , CMDCAS , EN 455 and EN 374.

Comfort

Nitrile gloves are stronger and more resilient than latex gloves and they don't hold back on comfort either. As mentioned above, nitrile gloves tend to be more skin-friendly, and as they can also reduce sweat, it means that discomfort is reduced even on hot days. Nitrile tends to be flexible and stretchy too, meaning that they offer a good, not-tight fit.

Oil, Solvents and Chemicals

Our final reason is that nitrile gloves tend to be extremely resistant to oils, solvents and chemicals. If you do work in a medical environment, and come into contact with certain drugs, then you can have confidence that the gloves that you are wearing will not harm your skin.

Our Best Nitrile Gloves for Hospitals

Below are three of our top selling medical grade nitrile gloves. NITREX is best suited to professionals, designed to offer superb resistance to viruses while providing the grip needed for tactile tasks. The GL890 Gloves are also suitable for use with viruses and are popular among care workers as well as hospital staff, while the Aurelia Bold Gloves are our best selling nitrile gloves, with superb strength, resistance and comfort.

Browse Our Full Range

If you want to view our full range of nitrile gloves, don't hesitate to check out our Nitrile Gloves category. Alternatively, you can take a look at our Best Nitrile Gloves for Hospitals blog. 

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Nitrile vs Latex Gloves: Which Are Right for You?

Having the right gloves is crucial for your job. In this post, we're highlighting the differences between nitrile vs latex gloves to help you choose.

If you're buying gloves or looking at switching the type you use, you need to consider all options.

When it comes to disposable gloves, the two most popular are nitrile and latex. But you've probably been wondering&#;what's the difference between the two? When comparing nitrile vs latex gloves, which one comes out on top?

While it may seem that the two are equivalent, experienced professionals who wear gloves each day know that even minor differences can have a huge impact. In fact, 96.4% of professional dentists prefer one kind of glove.

In this article, you'll learn the differences between nitrile vs latex gloves, and be equipped with the information you need to make a smart choice.

Let's jump in!

The Pros and Cons of Latex Gloves

Latex is a derivative of natural rubber, meaning it's a natural and biodegradable product. When you purchase latex gloves, you're purchasing a product made from a renewable resource.

Want more information on do nitrile gloves have latex? Feel free to contact us.

This can be both positive and negative. On the one hand, latex is more environmentally friendly. On the other, the price of these gloves fluctuates with the market. This shouldn't be a problem over the next few years, however. Despite growing demand experts don't expect the prices of latex gloves to rise.

Latex Gloves Comfort and Dexterity

Latex's chief feature is comfort.

They're also highly regarded for fitting close to the skin and providing an excellent range of motion and dexterity. This means that no matter what the task at hand, professionals using latex gloves will most likely be able to complete the task more effectively and in less time.

Puncture and Chemical Resistance

Due to its natural rubber components, however, latex tends to be unstable around particular chemicals like solvents. This means that certain kinds of chemicals can weaken or even erode the surface of the glove, preventing it from protecting the hand. If your industry involves a number of chemicals, latex may not be suitable due to this issue.

Latex is also prone to puncture. Like a rubber balloon, it may be impossible to notice a tiny hole until too late. A visual inspection of a latex glove isn't a guarantee of safety&#;there may be a tiny incision that leaks dangerous chemicals or biohazardous material such as blood onto the hands.

Allergens

Of course, many people are allergic to latex. This number isn't tremendous&#;less than 1% of the US population has a latex allergy&#;but that number can still be problematic if latex is the only type of glove you use.

When comparing nitrile vs latex gloves, you'll inevitably notice that while latex has a great feel in the hand, it offers some potentially catastrophic vulnerabilities. It's for this reason that you should also consider the alternative: nitrile gloves.

The Benefits and Disadvantages of Nitrile Gloves

Academically speaking, nitrile is known as acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber. It's a synthetic component produced from byproducts of fossil fuels and was developed only recently to provide an alternative to latex-based products.

Of course, this does mean that nitrile gloves, once thrown away, will continue to fill up the landfill. Unlike latex gloves, they aren't biodegradable. If environmental concerns are at the forefront of your business, this may not be the best choice.

Comfort and Dexterity

In its early stages in the mid-s, the nitrile glove was known for being difficult to stretch&#;giving it an almost brittle feel. In the decades since the technology behind the nitrile glove has improved tremendously.

While still not as easy as a latex glove for putting on or removing, the nitrile glove is still a great option if you're looking for a glove that provides a minimum baseline of comfort.

Don't expect to get rave reviews on how well the glove fits, but it'll do just about anything with the most recent advances in technology.

Puncture and Chemical Resistance

Unlike latex gloves, which can disguise tiny punctures, nitrile gloves tend to exhibit large tears when even a tiny hole is made. While this may sound like a disadvantage, it actually means that the glove will allow for much easier visual inspection, and can prevent unsafe glove usage.

Not only that, but nitrile gloves are 3-5 times more durable than their latex counterparts. Not only are they more resistant to punctures and rips, they also provide a level of chemical resistance unparalleled by natural components. No matter what chemical you need to use, there's a nitrile glove that will be able to handle it and provide protection.

Allergens

Unlike the allergies that plague latex gloves, nitrile gloves have no such issues. Originally developed for this reason, you'll find that nitrile gloves offer superior performance, especially if you're dealing with a group of patients, customers or coworkers who suffer from a latex allergy.

While nitrile originally costs much more than the latex version of the glove, it has come down in price considerably. Currently, the price of a nitrile glove is equivalent (or even lower) than the price of a latex glove.

When comparing nitrile vs latex gloves, you'll find that nitrile is a great alternative to consider.

The Final Word on Nitrile vs Latex Gloves

No matter what kind of glove-wearing industry you work in, there is a correct choice for you, your coworkers, and your employees.

If comfort, dexterity, and easy on and off is your top priority, latex gloves are your best choice. They're preferred by professional everywhere for their great feel and high sensitivity.

If you're looking for a more durable glove that resists punctures and can withstand solvent chemicals, you're going to prefer nitrile gloves. Their superior performance is making them the standard glove in industries that demand heavy-duty performance.

Of course, if latex allergies are a problem, your choice has been made. Nitrile offers the same benefits without causing the problems associated with latex allergies.

When reviewing nitrile vs latex gloves, there is a right choice for you. Find the best kind of disposable gloves for your industry, and stay prepared and safe!

Contact us to discuss your requirements of food grade vs medical grade gloves. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.