Latex-free gloves are an alternative to latex gloves, which can cause allergic reactions. They are made from synthetic materials and come in various colors and sizes. However, they tend to be more expensive than latex gloves. It’s important to confirm they provide barrier protection and fit well before purchasing.
Latex-free gloves are disposable gloves that are made from a material other than latex. Latex has classically been the material of choice for disposable gloves because it is reasonably inexpensive and extremely flexible, making latex gloves comfortable to wear. While wearing latex gloves, people can perform a wide variety of tasks as if they were not wearing gloves, and gloves provide protection without hindering movement.
The problem with latex gloves is that some people are allergic to natural latex rubber. Reactions to latex gloves can range from mild dermatitis to difficulty breathing, with latex allergies on the rise due to increased use of latex barrier protection products. The AIDS epidemic caused an explosion in the use of latex gloves and a corresponding increase in latex allergies among healthcare workers and patients. As a result, several companies began to develop alternatives to latex gloves.
Various synthetic materials can be used to make latex-free gloves, including neoprene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl), and nitrile. In all cases, the goal is to provide barrier protection without compromising freedom of movement. Early latex-free gloves were often a bit cumbersome and difficult to wear, but many companies have solved this problem, making gloves easy to wear and easy to use.
There is one major drawback to these gloves. They tend to be more expensive than latex gloves, which can make them an expensive item to stock in medical clinics, first aid kits, ambulances, and hospitals. Some facilities keep a mix of latex and non-latex gloves on hand, and healthcare workers select the most appropriate glove for a task. If a healthcare worker is allergic to latex, he or she would wear latex-free gloves, and they would also be used on patients with a known latex allergy.
Latex-free gloves come in a range of colors, textures, and sizes. Many companies try to use very distinctive colors for their gloves to make it easy to identify non-latex gloves in a hurry, and non-latex gloves may also be stored in a different location to ensure they are not mistaken for latex gloves. .
When purchasing packages of non-latex gloves, it’s a good idea to confirm that they provide barrier protection and, if possible, try on a pair of gloves. The gloves should fit snug without feeling restrictive, and the gloves should be easy to put on without causing rips or tears.
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