Latex, vinyl, and nitrile are the most common materials used to make medical and surgical gloves. As of recent, some newer gloves are being made with chloroprene. Below we outline the different compositions and benefits for each glove material:

With latex allergies becoming more common, many healthcare workers are opting for latex free options, such as gloves made of vinyl, nitrile or chloroprene. Nitrile gloves are often favoured as they are latex free but still offer the stretchy feel of latex gloves while being extremely durable and puncture resistant. Vinyl gloves which are made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) are the most cost effective latex free option, but lack in overall quality in comparison to nitrile.

Even though both latex and latex free gloves offer their users protection, they do differ in the  quality of protection. Latex gloves are known to provide superior protection against viruses and bacteria, while gloves made from synthetic materials provide greater protection from chemicals. When comparing the different synthetic made gloves, nitrile gloves provide the best level of protection against viruses, bacteria and chemicals.

Most powdered gloves have cornstarch added to help make the gloves easier to put on and take off as the powder reduces the likelihood of the gloves sticking. This is key in busy healthcare environments. However, powdered gloves have been known to cause sensitivity to skin or even allergic reactions when worn for long periods of time. Powder-free gloves are treated to make them less form fitting reducing the chances of them sticking without the need for powder.  Powder-free gloves are often more expensive than powdered gloves as they undergo this additional treatment. The benefit is that powder-free gloves cause fewer allergic reactions and are cleaner to utilise as they do not leave residue behind on surfaces, clothing or skin.

Powder-free gloves are available in two options, chlorinated and non-chlorinated. The use of chlorine to treat the gloves is the obvious difference, however there are additional pros and cons. Chlorinated gloves are easier to put on and take off as the chlorination process helps reduce the elasticity of the gloves. They do however have a light chlorine smell and a reduced shelf life, especially if exposed to heat. Non-chlorinated gloves are odourless, but are harder to put on and may leave small particles of gel/silicon (which they are coated in) behind.

Both glove types are considered medical-grade and are used during different medical procedures. In general, surgical gloves fit snugger and have better sensitivity and precision and are manufactured to meet higher quality standards. Most of the time, surgical gloves are sterile as they are used during surgery. Examination gloves are available in either sterile or non-sterile formats, they are made for more general uses to help prevent contamination between healthcare workers and patients. They can also be used to protect against chemical and surface contamination.

There are various specialty gloves used for differing circumstances. Two of the most popular are chemo gloves and gloves with aloe. Chemo gloves are medical grade gloves that have been approved to be use with chemotherapy drugs. When choosing a chemo approved glove, it is important to confirm that the gloves have been tested for use with the specific chemotherapy drugs being administered. Gloves which include aloe or other moisturizers are made to soothe and moisturize hands during use. These are great for individuals that wear medical gloves for extended periods of time or that may have a sensitivity.