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What are Non-Latex Gloves?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Non-latex gloves are disposable gloves which are made with 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 though they are not wearing gloves at all, with the gloves providing protection without hindering movement.

The issue with latex gloves is that some people are allergic to natural latex rubber. Reactions to latex gloves can vary from mild dermatitis to difficulty breathing, with latex allergies on the rise due to an increased use of latex products for barrier protection. The AIDS epidemic led to an explosion in the use of latex gloves, and a corresponding rise in latex allergies among health care workers and patients. As a result, several companies began developing alternatives to latex gloves.

Latex gloves can cause dermatitis.
Latex gloves can cause dermatitis.

Several synthetic materials can be used to make non-latex gloves, including neoprene, poly vinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl), and nitrile. In all cases, the goal is to provide barrier protection without compromising freedom of movement. Early non-latex gloves were often slightly cumbersome to use, and difficult to don, but many companies have resolved this issue, making gloves which are easy to put on and simple to use.

Some medical grade gloves are made from synthetic materials.
Some medical grade gloves are made from synthetic materials.

There is one major drawback to these gloves. They tend to be more expensive than latex gloves, which can make them a costly item to stock in medical clinics, first aid kits, ambulances, and hospitals. Some facilities keep a mix of latex and latex-free gloves on hand, with health workers selecting the glove which is most appropriate for a task. If a health care worker is allergic to latex, he or she would use non-latex gloves, and they would also be used on patients with a declared latex allergy.

Because of latex allergies, many hospitals have stopped using latex gloves and replaced them with ones made of other materials.
Because of latex allergies, many hospitals have stopped using latex gloves and replaced them with ones made of other materials.

Non-latex gloves come in a range of colors, textures, and sizes. Many companies try to use very distinctive colors for their gloves so that it is easy to identify the latex-free gloves in a hurry, and latex-free gloves may also be stored in a different location to ensure that they are not confused with latex gloves.

When buying packages of non-latex gloves, it is a good idea to confirm that they do provide barrier protection, and to try on a pair of gloves, if possible. The gloves should fit snugly without feeling restrictive, and it should be easy to pull the gloves on without causing rips or tears.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a BeautyAnswered researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a BeautyAnswered researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

CopperPipe

Haven't most latex gloves been replaced by nitrile gloves now, especially in hospitals? It certainly seems that way if you watch medical TV shows. I mean, every time you flip on House or ER you see the characters wearing those purple nitrile gloves.

Of course, I know that's TV and not real life, but are budgetary constraints really so great that hospitals can't afford to buy nitrile gloves? I mean, from a quick google search they're not that expensive.

Although of course, I guess if you go through a lot of them they could get a bit pricy, but still. Wouldn't not causing allergic reactions in your patients be worth a few extra bucks?

lightning88

OK, so this may be a silly question, but if so many people are allergic to latex, then why did people start to make examination gloves out of them to begin with?

I mean, surely someone did some kind of testing on the product before it hit the market, and if so many people are allergic to them and have bad reactions just from being around them, wouldn't that have come up?

Or did they just somehow manage to miss out those who were allergic to latex in their tests? I would be really curious to learn more about the development of latex for use in surgical gloves, and how it could be used if it is so obviously unsuitable for so many people.

Charlie89

I am all for getting rid of those powdered latex gloves -- and to be perfectly frank, I'm not that much of a fan even of the powder free latex exam gloves.

I'm not allergic to latex or anything, but I just don't like the way that they feel. There's something about the way the gloves seem to sort of stick to your skin that is just unpleasant, whether you're the one wearing them or the one being touched by someone wearing them.

Besides, it seems like whenever I wear latex gloves my hands get incredibly sweaty, and they start to slip around all over my hand -- just not a good experience.

So bring on the nitrile gloves -- I hope that they'll totally replace latex gloves, the sooner the better.

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    • Latex gloves can cause dermatitis.
      By: eyetronic
      Latex gloves can cause dermatitis.
    • Some medical grade gloves are made from synthetic materials.
      By: Remains
      Some medical grade gloves are made from synthetic materials.
    • Because of latex allergies, many hospitals have stopped using latex gloves and replaced them with ones made of other materials.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Because of latex allergies, many hospitals have stopped using latex gloves and replaced them with ones made of other materials.
    • Non-latex gloves are often more expensive than latex gloves.
      By: eldadcarin
      Non-latex gloves are often more expensive than latex gloves.
    • Latex-free gloves may be worn for wearing dishes.
      By: Kalim
      Latex-free gloves may be worn for wearing dishes.
    • Non-latex gloves might be included as part of a first aid kit.
      By: hansgeel
      Non-latex gloves might be included as part of a first aid kit.
    • Non-latex gloves should be used on patients who have declared latex allergies.
      By: Tyler Olson
      Non-latex gloves should be used on patients who have declared latex allergies.
    • Non-latex gloves may come in distinctive colors so that they can be easily identifiable.
      By: hriana
      Non-latex gloves may come in distinctive colors so that they can be easily identifiable.
    • Non-latex gloves may be an expensive item to stock in ambulances.
      By: Craig Stocks
      Non-latex gloves may be an expensive item to stock in ambulances.