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Latex Gloves

Latex gloves offer protection against leakage, making them easy to use in wet conditions. Latex gloves are also resistant to many chemicals like acid and alkalis, they are also less likely to puncture or tear.

Latex comes directly from rubber trees. Latex gloves are the most commonly used disposable gloves because they have been the only strong disposable glove material option on the market. However, now many hospitals and clinics have begun replacing their latex gloves with nitrile gloves.

So this leads us to the ultimate question of which is better, Nitrile, or Latex?

The answer is that Nitrile is a stronger higher quality glove then Latex. However, Latex is a cheaper option for those that do not require stronger chemical and puncture resistance. It does depend on what job or task you are planning on using gloves for.

✔ Strengths

fits like a second skin – great dexterity & comfort
has the highest level of touch & tactile sensitivity due to their thinness, hence why they’re popular amongst surgeons
high strength level, thanks to their elasticity
provide superior barrier protection against bacteria/viruses & some chemicals
natural material, so it’s biodegradable
cost-effective
are lightly powdered, making them easier to put on and off

✖ Weaknesses

latex allergies are increasing worldwide. This is the main reason for seeking synthetic alternatives
lower resistance to punctures than synthetic types
lower chemical resistance than synthetic types
powder coating can make them ‘messy’
cost can fluctuate according to the prices of natural resources

Medical gloves are usually made of polymers such as latex, vinyl, and nitrile, although you may find disposable gloves made of other materials, such as neoprene. Below is a quick comparison of latex vs nitrile vs vinyl, including the differences in design and benefits.

GLOVE TYPE	DEFINITION	ADVANTAGE	PROTECTION LEVEL	CONCERNS
Latex Gloves	Made of Natural Rubber	Highest comfort, flexibility, fit and tactile sensitivity	Bacteria, viruses	Some people have a latex allergy so choose vinyl or nitrile instead.
Nitrile Gloves	Made of Synthetic Material	Stretchy, Durable	Chemicals, viruses	More costly than vinyl gloves and not reusable
Vinyl Gloves	Made of Synthetic material	Cost-efficient synthetic option, comfortable	Chemicals	Do not tolerate abrasion and tear easily. Not suitable for high-risk usage.