Latex Exam Gloves
Gloves made from latex, including natural rubber gloves, are made from the milky sap of a specific deciduous tree that grows in tropical areas.
Latex gloves offer flexibility, elasticity, dexterity, tactile sensitivity, comfort, and fit. They have good mechanical resistance and successfully form a barrier to bodily fluid and other infectious substances. They are somewhat less resistant than synthetic glove materials to puncture and extended chemical exposure.
The regular use of latex-containing products can increase sensitivity and produce allergic reactions, an occupational risk factor. These reactions are usually related to chemicals added during manufacturing or to powders added to make the gloves easier to don and doff. Due to the risks, the Food and Drug Administration banned the sale and use of powdered surgical and patient examination gloves in the United States in January 2017.
Latex glove options include:
- Disposable or reusable types
- Ambidextrous or hand-specific
- Exam, surgical, or industrial styles
- Thinness and thickness
- Short to longer lengths
- Beaded/rolled, extended, or foldable cuffs
- Smooth or embossed textures
- In numeric size or Small, Medium, and Large
- Sterile or nonsterile
- Suitable for cleanroom use
- Supported or unsupported
- Colors
Latex gloves are suitable for use in chemical and biochemical labs and medical, janitorial, automotive, and industrial settings.