Comparative Assessment of Hypersensitivity Reactions on ...

20 May.,2024

 

Comparative Assessment of Hypersensitivity Reactions on ...

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Medical Grade NBR LATEX. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Abstract

Background 

Latex gloves are used more frequently by dental, medical, and other health workers and their allergy has also increased as a result, dentists are frequently exposed to latex or nitrile gloves for extended periods. This prolonged exposure often leads to local symptoms such as itching and erythema rashes. However, some dentists experience more severe systemic reactions, including swelling, wheezing, breathlessness, and even an increase in blood pressure. Latex gloves have recently been replaced with nitrile gloves, powder-free latex gloves, and other preventive measures to avoid allergies. Latex allergies are more common than nitrile allergies, as they are hypoallergic with properties such as tear-resistant and provide an equivalent level of defense against various dental materials and procedures. Women experience more allergic reactions than men. Not only are dentists exposed to this allergy but the patient can also be exposed during the procedure. This study aimed to assess hypersensitive reactions to the use of latex and nitrile gloves among general dentist practitioners and dental students.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Wardha, Maharashtra, India, to evaluate allergic reactions to latex and nitrile gloves among general dental practitioners and dental students at college. A questionnaire-based study was conducted with a sample size of 356. The self-administered survey inquiries about glove compliance, the time they wear the gloves, regular glove use, and problems related to latex or nitrile contact. In addition, dentists and dental students' personal histories of allergies to medications, dental materials, disinfectants, or other chemicals were noted, as well as signs and symptoms they experienced from prolonged contact with gloves.

Result

The total number of responses collected was 356. The investigated dentists were 274 and 82 were students, out of which 122 (34.3%) were male and 234 (65.7%) were female. Responses showed that 224 (62.92%) used latex gloves, and 132 (37.08%) used nitrile gloves. Among 356 participants 175 showed symptoms by the use of both latex and nitrile gloves, out of which 85.14% showed allergy to latex and 14.85% to nitrile gloves. All 175 individuals showed type IV hypersensitivity, and none of them showed type I.

Conclusion

Latex gloves are not the only option for dentists who experience itching when wearing gloves; they can also use powered-free latex gloves and nitrile gloves or take precautions such as not using oil-based cream, washing their hands, or taking pharmaceuticals such as cetirizine, pheniramine maleate, etc. However, when symptoms worsen and include erythema, swelling, wheezing, and in some cases, anaphylactic shock may occur they tend to use alternative gloves.

Keywords:

swelling, rashes, erythema, itching, dentist, allergy, hypersensitivity, nitrile, gloves, latex

Introduction

The usage of latex dates back to 1600 B.C. but the first precise description was not made public until 1979 which showed that a patient with a history of persistent atopic dermatitis presented with hand pruritus five minutes after donning rubber gloves, she displayed an instantaneous wheal with a rubber glove extract when tested using the skin prick method. Natural rubber latex (NRL) comes from the tropical Hevea Brasiliensis tree which is used to make gloves and other dental materials. Disposable NRL gloves are a crucial component of infection prevention in dental and routine procedures. Using low-allergen, powder-free latex gloves has dramatically decreased the incidence of latex allergy [1]. Rash, type I allergic reaction, and allergic contact dermatitis (delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions) are some serious complications associated with latex gloves. Exposure can occur through powder contact through the respiratory tract, the membrane of the nose. Diasdeandrade et al. show that in patients undergoing treatment such as root canal treatment, extraction, and other dental procedures that allow contact with latex gloves and material such as rubber dam shows that after one to two minutes of contact, some patients who are allergic to latex show anxiousness with erythema in the contact area, which shows swollen lips, rise in local temperature, itching, increased blood pressure, dyspnea, and exophthalmos. After observing these signs and symptoms, oxygen and 100 mg hydrocortisone were injected immediately, and the patient was kept under observation. This can happen to health workers who do not know that they are sensitive to latex [2]. Latex emerged as a substantial occupational health threat in the mid-1980s and the pandemic. In countries such as the US and UK, nitrile gloves are generally used more than latex gloves, whereas, in other countries, latex gloves are more commonly used because they are easily accessible and economical [3].

Some dentists who are sensitive to latex and experience rashes, and erythema avoid contact with latex and replace it with nitrile or vinyl powder-free gloves and some take precautions like applying topical and oral steroids which help lessen symptoms. During pandemics, such as the recent COVID-19 epidemic, nitrile and latex gloves are preferred. Latex gloves are adaptable, comfortable, and tactilely sensitive and offer a medium degree of protection, whereas vinyl gloves offer mediocre protection and are tactilely responsive but are less sturdy [4]. It was also found that this allergy caused by type I hypersensitivity may occur within 20-30 min of exposure and may include itching, flushing, swelling in the area of contact, difficulty in breathing, increased heart rate, and anaphylactic shock. Along with the skin test, a radioallergosorbent (RAST) test is performed for patient and dentist safety EpiPen and Benadryl Elixir are informed to carry to prevent allergic symptoms caused by anaphylactic shock. The most commonly used glove in India is latex because it is cheap and easily available. With the increase in allergy and pro-quality of nitrile gloves are used by many dentists and studies because they are made of a distinctive sort of polymer that provides superior chemical and tear resistance at the same time, they do not use powder so allergies from powder are also prevented, they are stronger and tear resistance is also high [5].

Other dental materials that contain rubber latex include gloves, rubber dams, cartridges, tourniquets, rubber bands, and resuscitation equipment are also made of latex not just dental practitioners, but health workers and patients can also be affected by this allergy. A complete history of allergic responses should be obtained from potential patients. Nitrile is better than latex because it is thinner than latex and still does not tear off, and its frequency of allergic reaction is much lower than that of latex [6]. A type of symptomatic dermographism known as glove-related hand urticaria is believed to be brought on by a mix of shearing forces from repeated donning and removing of gloves and direct pressure from the glove. Healthcare professionals are more prone to develop glove-related hand urticaria because they use gloves frequently, and based on recent patterns in our practice, we believe that this is an occupational issue that is worsening [7]. Despite improvements following the adoption of powder-free NRL gloves, a sizable proportion of hospital workers continue to experience discomfort associated with NRL. Therefore, an additional study on latex avoidance and the reason for lingering allergic signs in workers with NRL allergy is required. Rather than gloves, products containing latex, such as protection, also show allergic reactions that are often confused with infection and are most commonly seen with contact dermatitis, contact urticaria, and, more rarely, anaphylaxis [8].

Glove allergy care requires identifying the source of the immunologic reaction, followed by confirmation of the diagnosis if type I lgE-mediated allergy is expected. People with gloves allergies are frequently treated with corticosteroids and antihistamines to alleviate nasal, ocular, cutaneous, and respiratory issues. After using latex gloves, all dentists and healthcare workers who are suffering from allergies should wash their hands thoroughly. The Lowry test, also known as the latex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for antigenic protein (LEAP), is used to quantify latex protein, which should be less than 10 mg/g to exhibit the least allergenicity [9]. Vinyl gloves are not recommended for general safety measures by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health because they do not provide an effective barrier against HIV [9].

Numerous studies have demonstrated that latex gloves are allergic in the health care profession however there are only a few studies about nitrile glove allergy. In our study, we have compared both latex and nitrile allergy and which gloves are more allergic to our fellows and dental practitioner through our study we have highlighted their symptoms after wearing gloves and which glove is more allergic to the dental practitioner, also research help to educate their level of understanding on how to prevent this allergy and what is the alternative to prevent allergy. Although gloves are something every practitioner wears, allergies caused by them are not well acknowledged. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to identify which glove is hyperallergic among dental students and practitioners.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Wardha, Maharashtra, India, to evaluate the allergic reactions to latex gloves and nitrile among dentists and dental students who are practicing clinical work and studying at Sharad Pawar Dental College and Hospital a questionnaire-based study was initiated after obtaining approval from the Institutional Ethical Committee (DMIHER(DU)/IEC/2023/722), Sharad Pawar Dental College and Hospital DMIHER. Details were received from dentists aged 18-60 years which were self-explanatory working at Sharad Pawar Dental College, Sawangi, Wardha, which is situated in the central part of India. The study was conducted for four months, from April 2023 to July 2023. The study sample consisted of 365 subjects. The study was specific to the dental profession only, so we included only dental students and practitioners and excluded other health workers.

Google Forms (Google, Inc., Mountain View, CA, USA) was used for recording the responses of the study and dentist participants. Questionnaires were sent to the participants through e-mail and WhatsApp, and responses were recorded. Statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) and Microsoft Office Excel (Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA, USA). The chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables. Statistical significance was determined at P-values of less than 0.05 using the chi-square test used to compare categorical variables. The self-management questionnaire included 25 questions regarding conformance, which included both closed-ended questions and Open-ended questions. The question was formulated in two sections; The first section includes demographic details, which mainly comprise participant age, gender, years of practice, and qualification. The second section included both open-ended and close-ended questions, out of which nine questions were “yes” and “no” type and 11 were open-ended to know the various symptoms dentists experience during work. Questions based on, types of gloves, regular glove use, and symptoms related to latex and nitrile contact were included in the online survey. In addition, dentists' own experiences of allergies to drugs, dental materials, disinfectants, or others were noted, as well as allergies to vegetables, fruits, or others. And what precautions they use to prevent it (Table ).

Table 1

QuestionsOptionsAre you a regular dental practitioner?YesNoWhich type of gloves do you use regularly?LatexNitrileOtherAny family history of allergy?YesNoDo you have any systemic condition? How many hours do you work a day?4-5hr6-7hr8-9hr10-12hrHow many hours do you wear gloves during dental practice?1-2hr2-3hr4-5hr5-6hr8-9hrDo you have any history of rashes on your hand after the use of gloves?YesNoDo you have a history of anaphylaxis?YesNoDo you have any other symptoms?ItchingErythemaSwellingWheezingNone of the aboveWhen you wear gloves have you noticed any? Shortness of breathChest tightnessOtherNone of the above Have  you undergone any allergy skin test?YesNoDo you suffer from any other allergy?YesNoIf yes which kind of allergy?Dental materialsDrugDisinfectantSoapOthersDo you suffer from food allergy?VegetableFruitsOtherDo you have any history of water vesicles on your hands or crusted skin?YesNoHave you experienced swelling or difficulty in breathing after blowing off a balloon?YesNoDo you have any history of frequent surgery or invasive medical procedure?YesNoHow do you manage the glove allergy?Quit wearing glovesGeneral medical treatmentOtherWhat precaution do  you take to prevent glove allergy?Avoiding oil-based creamHandwash after wearing glovesMedicationUse alternative glovesDo prolong use of rubber dam during procedure cause any changes like?Swollen lipsItching in mouth and tongue  UlcerAll of the aboveNone of the aboveOpen in a separate window

Results

The total number of responses collected was 356. In which investigated dentists were 274 and students 82 out of which 122 (34.3%) were male and 234 (65.7%) were female. Of the 356 responses, 224 (62.92%) used latex gloves, 132 (37.08%) used nitrile gloves, and none of them used other gloves as shown in Figure .

Figure 1

Open in a separate window

The number of years of clinical activity ranged from one to 35 years; 209 (58.70%) had under 1-10 years of professional activity, 73 (20.50%) had between 11 and 20 years, 63 participants had 21-30 years of experience, and 11 (3.08%) had more than 31 years and above. In our study, 62.92% of dentists and students used latex gloves for prevention, and 37.07% used nitrile gloves. Since the implementation of the Universal Precautions concept in 1987, sensitivity to latex gloves has become a significant professional concern among healthcare workers, dental staff, and dental students, especially for those who frequently wear these gloves. In our study, 44.38% of the investigated dentists and students reported signs of rashes because of the use of gloves and 55.61% did not experience any rashes due to gloves. Of 158, 131 (82.91%) were latex gloves users and 27 (17.09%) were nitrile users (Figure ).

Figure 2

Open in a separate window

Out of 356 responses, 175 (49.15%) reported symptoms affecting the hand skin in straight contact with the latex and nitrile comprising: erythema 21 (12%), itching 73 (41.71%), and swelling seven (2.28%), suggesting allergic dermatitis. Other signs include systemic responses such as allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, cough, and wheezing three (1.71%). None of them described severe reactions to gloves, such as anaphylactic shock. Local symptoms for latex gloves users were remarkably more common among female dentists than male dentists. Females show symptoms such as itching 36 (70.58%), erythema 13 (76.47%), and swelling five (71.42%) while the percentage for males are itching 15 (29.42%), erythema four (23.53%), and swelling two (28.58%). Out of 356 responses, 175 participants showed symptoms out of which 149 (85.51%) were latex users: itching 51 (69.86%), erythema 17 (80.88%), swelling seven (100%), and wheezing three (100%) and nitrile users were 26 (14.85%): itching 22 (30.13%), erythema four (19.04%), swelling nil, and wheezing nil (Figure , Table ).

Table 2

SYMPTOMSLATEX (149)NITRILE (26) FEMALE (55.43%)MALE (29.72%)FEMALE (8.57%)MALE (6.28%) N%N%N%N%ITCHING3670.58%1529.41%1463.63%836.36%ERYTHEMA1376.47%423.52%125%375%SWELLING571.42%228.57%nil00%nil00%WHEEZING3100%nil00%Nil00%nil00%MORE THAN ONE SYMPTOMS4056.33%3143.66%nil00%nil00%Open in a separate window

Figure 3

Open in a separate window

The results showed that the age group of 35-50 years was most frequently affected by latex glove allergic reactions. Of 203 dentists whose professional experience is 5-30 years, 121 (59.60%). The younger demographic has not yet been often subjected to latex, and older practitioners were not accustomed to using protective gloves at the beginning of their professional activity, which may be one factor. The dentists’ medical history confirmed the prevalence of additional allergic reactions, including food allergies from fruits at 3.37%, vegetables at 5.05%, allergies to different drugs at 8.70%, and allergic asthma at 8.4%. It has been shown that those who are allergic to particular meals also suffer from an allergy to latex, whereas participants who are allergic to nitrile were nil. Latex and nitrile allergies have also been linked to sensitivity to dental materials by 3.65%, disinfectants by 4.77%, and soap by 2.52%. Most practitioners wore sanitized gloves for more than 1-2 h per day (7.86%), 2-3 h per day (22.7%), 4-5 h per day 18.25%, 5-6 h per day 22.19%, and 8-9 h per day 28.93%. With a substantially higher percentage of female practitioners than male dentists, female dentists appeared more involved with hand protection. Over 182 (51.12%) wore latex gloves for more than five hours a day out of which 128 were latex users and 54 were nitrile users, of which symptomatic percentage were symptomatic. Findings regarding the association between regular glove use hours and the rate of latex glove allergy among dentists wearing gloves for more than five hours per day than those wearing gloves with nitrile. Only 39 (10.95%) dentists in our study underwent a skin test aimed at identifying the individual risk and specific allergens. Skin testing provides the possibility of unbiased determination of latex or nitrile. The latex-sensitive dentists' approach to allergic reactions consisted of preventing contact with natural latex by using non-latex (e.g., nitrile or vinyl) powder-free gloves (92.9%) instead of natural latex gloves. Of the participants, 1.12% experienced water blisters, three experienced it due to latex gloves, and only one participant experienced it from nitrile. The most common precautions taken to prevent allergy by dentists and dental students were avoiding oil base cream 7.58%, hand washing 38.76%, medication 9.83%, and use of alternative gloves 43.82% (Figure ).

Figure 4

Open in a separate window

Discussion

Disposable NRL gloves are a crucial component of infection prevention in dental and routine procedures and allergy to latex gloves is a major occupational problem [10]. It is required to wear gloves during dental procedures because they can significantly reduce the amount of blood that is transferred from a needle stick incident as well as protect us from different chemicals and materials, along with drugs, from direct contact with our skin. In our study both latex and nitrile gloves were included with a sample size of 356 showing a response of 175 participants showing symptoms, out of which latex users were 149 (85.51%) with symptoms like itching 51 (69.86%), erythema 17 (80.88%), swelling seven (100%), and wheezing three (100%), and nitrile users were 26 (14.85%): Itching 22 (30.13%), erythema (19.04%), swelling nil, and wheezing nil. With the use of gloves, the cases of hypersensitivity increased, research conducted by Barlean et al. which was specific to latex glove allergy showed that skin in direct contact with the latex experienced discomfort and other symptoms such as redness (74.5%), itching (42.4%), and swelling (20.1%), suggesting allergic dermatitis which clearly shows that dental healthcare professionals in Iasi, were experiencing symptoms due to latex allergy, three different reactions to latex gloves have been recorded, such as symptoms of irritation, which is typically reversible; delayed hypersensitivity, which is more frequent when exposed to latex proteins and their content; and sensitivity to natural protein residue present in natural latex, which causes immediate hypersensitivity (Type I). This is also known as an immunoglobulin E (IgE) reaction, and it often manifests effects within 5-30 minutes of contact with latex [10]. 

Multiple research indicated that both latex and nitrile sensitivity have been noticed, but more cases of latex sensitivity have been noticed along with this type 1 hypersensitive reaction, which was seen with the use of a rubber dam and confirmed by the presence of IgE antibodies against latex. Rubber dam is the most commonly used material in dental procedures keeping that in mind our survey result shows that 17.13% of participants showed symptoms such as swelling, ulcers, and swollen lips after the use of a rubber dam. This shows that not only the dentist but also the patient we are dealing with are exposed, a study performed by Kleier et al. showed that after the application of a rubber dam, the patient was tense and aroused one minute after applying the dam, and there was obvious erythema on the face, neck, upper body, and upper limbs, as well as facial edema, a rapid heartbeat, and breathlessness [11]. The gold standard for diagnosis is skin-prick testing in patients with localized symptoms and latex-specific IgE antibody assessment in patients with systemic symptoms. Powdered gloves increase the possibility of allergy, not only for the person wearing them but also for any other worker in the same space [12]. Multiple studies also showed that the severity of NRL-related symptoms dropped from 8.5 before to 2.3 after using powder-free NRL gloves were put into place, according to a scale of 0 to 10 [13].

A number of studies showed allergic reactions to latex gloves, but it is also prudent here to mention that in study conducted by Gonzalo-Garijo et al. showed that acute reactions (contact urticaria, rhinoconjunctivitis, or both) were seen in their hospital's staff members who were earlier diagnosed with IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to latex and shown allergic to nitrile, but after using three lots of nitrile gloves, they were able to endure nitrile gloves from different lots made by similar or different manufacturers, and their count was also less than latex [14]. In our study, there were 356 participants, with 85.51% allergic to latex gloves and 14.85% allergic to nitrile this indicate that allergy can occur from both glove but more frequently by latex [14]. Basic therapy for this type of hypersensitivity includes topical corticosteroids, antihistamines, and, in severe cases, systemic corticosteroids. It is also noted that people who have an allergy to these gloves are also allergic to different products such as dental materials, disinfectants, and drugs, including penicillin, sulfonamides, cephalosporins, and anesthesia (local and general) [15]. Whenever a patient shows a history of allergies, nurses should ensure that every operation, whether small or large, is latex-free during the whole perioperative period, ideally moving the surgery to the first hour to ensure that the level of aeroallergens is as low as feasible [16]. According to the experience of dentists and dental students, the use of powder-free, low-protein latex gloves dramatically lowers the incidence of latex allergy and latex-induced asthma compared to powdered latex gloves [17].

Our data also emphasize that patients undergoing multiple surgical procedures and exposed to gloves multiple times were severely affected by latex allergy out of 356, 18 (5.05%) participants underwent frequent surgery and were allergic to it, it is also shown in a study conducted by Yeh et al. on meningomyelocele patients undergoing multiple surgical procedures, the study was conducted in 11 patients, of whom seven were allergic to latex and four were asymptomatic; hence, this study shows that patients with a disease like meningomyelocele who undergo multiple procedures not only the medical practitioner but the patient also suffer from latex allergy [18].

It is noticed that not just doctors, but nurses, patients, dental hygienists, technicians, and other health workers also suffer from allergies. As allergic reactions to latex and nitrile gloves have been identified, manufacturers have responded by offering a broader range of glove types, e.g., vinyl gloves. Despite the fact that vinyl gloves are inferior to latex gloves, some workers prefer them since they are powder-free and do not irritate the skin as easily as powdered latex gloves [19].

Limitations

This study only provides a snapshot of hypersensitivity reactions among dental professionals and may not be generalizable to other populations or settings. The study has limitations related to its scope, gender distribution, and the absence of longitudinal data.

Conclusions

This study compared the use of latex and nitrile gloves in India. Latex gloves are widely adopted in Indian hospitals due to cost-effectiveness and availability. However, latex allergies are prevalent, with symptoms subsiding when using powder-free latex or nitrile gloves. Additional precautions include avoiding oil-based creams, handwashing, and medication. Asthmatic individuals and those with over five years of work experience exhibit higher allergy rates. Western countries prefer nitrile gloves due to lower allergy rates. Females, long-hour practitioners, and those with allergies to certain materials and foods show increased glove allergy risk. Dentists in private clinics prefer nitrile gloves for their superior quality, hypoallergenic properties, and better dexterity.

Notes

Diary no. -14650/2023-CO/L

Want more information on Acrylic Polymer Emulsion for Textiles? Feel free to contact us.

Human Ethics

Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Institutional Ethical Committee of Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha issued approval DMIHER(DU)/IEC/2023/722

Animal Ethics

Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue.

What Are The Best Disposable Gloves For Nurses?

Proper hand protection is the first line of defense for nurses and other healthcare workers working in risky environments. Seeking out the best gloves for nurses is a smart decision for any RN who wants to stay safe. And if you need to supply gloves for your entire medical facility, providing the right type can give your nursing staff added protection and peace of mind.

There are various forms of protective single-use gloves on the market today. Latex, vinyl, and nitrile gloves are the most common, but there are many others. All of them offer different levels of durability, protection, and comfort. With so many options, how can you tell what are the best disposable gloves for nurses?

Nitrile disposable gloves are considered the best choice for nurses seeking reliable hand protection. They provide a strong barrier to keep hazardous fluids from touching the skin, halt the spread of germs, have superior tear resistance, and are 100% latex-free — making them the right choice for nurses in medical environments and care facilities.

Why Nurses Wear Gloves

Healthcare professionals like nurses face many different risks, which makes it crucial to wear the right type of protection. Quality disposable gloves are essential for their safety, as well as for their patient’s well-being.

Here are just a few of the many reasons why single-use gloves are critical in the medical environment:

  • It’s common for nurses to come into contact with potentially infectious materials, including blood and other bodily fluids. Gloves provide a barrier to keep them safe from biohazards.
  • Nurses often work directly with people who have contagious conditions. The ability to quickly swap gloves prevents the spread of disease when caring for multiple patients.
  • A clean pair of gloves helps avoid the risk of exposing patients with compromised immune systems to harmful microbes.
  • RNs handle needles and other sharp medical equipment that could cut or puncture unprotected skin.
  • Products used for disinfection in hospitals are often much harsher than household cleaners. Wearing gloves helps shield them from skin irritation.
  • Given all of the potentially dangerous substances nurses come into contact with, cleaning their hands is not enough to protect them. Take a look at our post that touches on the subject of gloves vs hand washing for more information.

Because they can provide a fast, effective, and quickly removable barrier against harmful substances, disposable gloves are indispensable safety tools for nurses.

Features to Look For in Gloves For Nurses

What kinds of gloves will serve nurses best? You can help choose the right type by taking into account the following questions:

  • Are they waterproof/liquid proof? Nurses need gloves that won't let bodily fluids leak through.
  • How chemical resistant are they? Healthcare workers may have to handle harmful chemicals like chemotherapy drugs.
  • Do they puncture easily, or are they durable? Gloves that sharp objects can easily pierce aren't a great choice for anyone performing injections.
  • Do they contain powder? The FDA has banned powdered gloves in most medical environments.
  • Will they allow you to feel objects and handle small items well? Nurses should wear hand protection that retains their sense of touch to perform certain tasks that require it.
  • Do they hurt your hands while trying to remove them? Gloves are changed out with each new patient, so choosing a product that's easy to put on and remove is essential.
  • Do they offer a comfortable fit? Medical staff typically wear hand coverings throughout the day, so comfort must be taken into account.
  • Are they slippery? Maintaining a good grip is important when handling glass vials and hazardous waste.
  • Are they FDA-approved? Medical-grade gloves must meet strict quality standards.
  • Have they been sterilized? Most healthcare tasks don't require sterile medical gloves, but nurses in surgical operating rooms and certain other settings may need them.

What Are the Best Gloves For Nurses?

With the above crucial features in mind, let's look at the types of disposable gloves available to nurses.

Latex Gloves For Nurses

For many years, latex gloves were the undisputed #1 choice in the healthcare industry. Natural rubber latex is quite elastic, hugging the hands for a natural, comfortable fit and high tactile sensitivity. That's useful when performing delicate procedures or examining a patient's body for signs of illness.

The problem is that latex gloves can cause allergic reactions, especially with frequent use. As a result, many nurses have latex allergies, as do their patients. If you have a latex allergy or work with patients who could be allergic, it's important to wear 100 percent latex-free materials.

Vinyl Gloves For Nurses

One option for those who need latex-free gloves is vinyl, also known as polyvinyl chloride or PVC. This plastic material contains none of the proteins that trigger latex allergies. It's also very inexpensive. In addition, the low friction resistance of vinyl gloves means you can change them quickly.

Disposable vinyl gloves have some important drawbacks, though. The material provides a less sturdy barrier against infectious diseases or harsh chemicals. And vinyl gloves tend to be less form-fitting and durable.

Vinyl disposable gloves can be safe for medical use in brief, low-risk tasks like dispensing oral medications or helping move patients. For prolonged use or sensitive procedures, they're usually not the best option.

Nitrile Gloves For Nurses

Based on all the specifications and requirements of the medical field, it’s clear that the best disposable gloves for nurses are nitrile-based exam gloves. They're hypoallergenic, flexible, and tougher than both latex and vinyl. We'll review, in detail, what makes them the right choice for nurses working in hospitals, emergency rooms, urgent care facilities, and other demanding settings.

How Do Nitrile Gloves Stand Up to the Needs of Nursing Professionals?

Nitrile gloves are the better choice for nurses because of the following qualities:

1. Nitrile is a Durable Material Well-Suited to Handling Sharp Objects

As mentioned above, since nurses can be exposed to fluids such as blood and saliva, it’s important to choose gloves that have superior puncture and tear resistance. If you have a small puncture hole in your gloves that you don’t see, and you get exposed to a patient’s blood, it could be extremely dangerous.

Nitrile is more durable than latex or vinyl when it comes to tears and puncture holes. This alone makes this type of disposable glove better for nurses.

2. Healthcare Professionals Require Material With High Tactile Sensitivity Nitrile Provides

Nurses should wear hand protection that doesn't hamper their sense of touch and allows them to handle objects easily. Nitrile hospital gloves enable nurses to easily perform medical exams that require touching their patient’s body, feeling for lumps, and the like. Tactile sensitivity is a must in this case.

Additionally, small medical tools, needles, and bandages are often used by nurses. The flexibility of nitrile gloves allow for picking them up and utilizing them with no issues.

3. Nitrile Gloves Are a Latex-Free, Hypoallergenic Option

As a nurse, you most likely know how severe a latex allergy reaction can be. Due to the high risk to yourself, your fellow nurses, and your patients, latex is rarely a safe choice.

Nursing professionals should instead use nitrile gloves, which are 100 percent latex-free. This will greatly reduce the risk of allergic reactions or developing a latex allergy. For a more detailed comparison, see our list of 9 reasons why nitrile is better than latex.

4. Chemical Resistant Nitrile Gloves Keep an RN's Hands Protected

The best gloves for nurses who work with potentially harmful chemicals are nitrile-based. This material is proven to stand up to a wide variety of chemicals much better than latex can. This includes disinfectants, antiseptics, cleaning products, and even dangerous residues from medications. Take a look at our complete guide to nitrile glove chemical resistance for more information.

5. Waterproof Hand Protection Provides a Much-Needed Barrier

Nitrile gloves are completely waterproof, so for those nurses who provide their patients with baths, they’re a good choice. In addition to this, because no liquid can penetrate them, they are especially fitting for nurses who often come into contact with blood and other bodily fluids.

6. Powder-Free Nitrile Gloves are Best for Medical Environments

Latex gloves are often coated with cornstarch powder to make them easier to put on and take off. However, covering your hands with powdered material can cause issues within a medical environment.

When gloves are taken off, or changed, the powder has been known to become airborne. This could be dangerous if those with a latex allergy were to breathe in the powder particles or if the powder were to land on an open wound. The end result could be airway or wound inflammation.

Powdered material is not advised even when non-latex hand protection is used – it should be avoided altogether. Fortunately, powder is unnecessary for most nitrile gloves. The material goes through a special process that gives it similar properties to powdered gloves, such as easy removal.

The Best Disposable Gloves For Nurses

Looking for some specific recommendations for nursing gloves? Here are our top picks for RNs and other patient care specialists:

HandCare's dependable powder-free gloves contain zero latex, minimizing the risk of allergic reactions in users or patients. With a 4 mil thickness, they'll allow for excellent touch sensitivity and range of movement, and their textured fingertips will help you keep your grip on delicate instruments. These are ideal gloves for a wide range of medical tasks.

These flexible, form-fitting medical gloves are great for healthcare settings of all kinds. Like the HandCare gloves above, the fingertips have a textured surface to improve your grasp on smooth or slippery objects. The beaded cuffs help you slide them on and off easily with less risk of rips or tears.

Nurses looking for a bit of extra grip might want to try these gloves, which feature a raised diamond pattern for added friction. At a thickness of 6 mils, they're slightly less sensitive than most exam gloves, but also more puncture resistant. Though they're described as "industrial", their acceptable quality level (AQL) of 1.5 means they qualify as medical-grade rather than industrial-grade gloves.

Final Thoughts

Nitrile gloves are the superior choice for nurses in need of the best hand protection. No matter why you need disposable gloves — to prevent transmission of infections, to avoid contact with bodily fluids, or to keep your hands chemical-free — nitrile offers the best combination of flexibility, toughness, and safety. Browse our collection of exam-grade gloves to find the perfect size, thickness, and style for your workplace.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website artificial turf LATEX.