Nitrile Gloves: A Perfect Alternative of Latex Gloves
If you are looking for the most suitable disposable gloves for your examination or work, nitrile gloves can be the best option. However, things were different earlier. Previously, latex gloves were the top choice of medical professionals as disposable protective gloves for several decades. However, now, they use a new material that is up to 95% stronger and safer.
Latex gloves were largely popular in the medical industry and used by tattoo artists and mechanics in the past several years. However, people have switched to other materials because of the risk of latex allergies and low chemical protection. Because of the disadvantages of the material latex, the rubber industry had to come up with a new material that does not offer these kinds of disadvantages. One of the new materials they developed is Nitrile.
What Is Nitrile?
Nitrile is a synthetic type of rubber that is used as the main raw material for manufacturing disposable gloves. That’s why it is also known as Acrylonitrile-Butadiene rubber. These gloves were first manufactured in the mid-1990s for medical professionals. People from the medical industry, especially dentists, started using these gloves because of their great puncture resistance. Nitrile has three times more puncture-resistant properties than latex. These puncture-resistant properties help prevent contamination and accidents. So, after the release of the nitrile gloves, medical professionals, mechanics, and even tattoo artists have started using nitrile gloves. After all, no material has such strong chemical resistance as this material.
When the nitrile gloves first came into the picture, they weren’t as comfortable as the latex ones. However, since their first manufacturing, they have come a long way. Now, nitrile gloves are not only three times more puncture-resistant and safer than latex, but also offer a comfortable fit.
In short, nitrile is a better material than latex and can perfectly protect your solvents, oils, greases, and even some acids and bases. That’s why it has become so popular around the world. Professionals all around the world prefer using these latex free examination gloves because:
- High Puncture Resistance
- High Heat Resistance
- Great Chemical Resistance
- Low Allergic Reaction Rates (>1%)
- Comfortable Fit
Even though these gloves are mainly used as disposable gloves, they can also be used more than once because of their strength. So, you can use these gloves more than once even though they are considered cheap and disposable. When nitrile gloves were released first, they were quite pricey. However, the price has dropped due to extreme demand and they are quite affordable now.
How Nitrile Gloves Can Be A Safer Choice for Those Suffering from Latex Allergies?
When people had to use latex gloves, it was seen that some people used to suffer from allergies. This is one of the main advantages that made the gloves manufacturer come up with another material that will be free from any kind of negative effects. After all, people used to have a hard time dealing with latex allergies. The symptoms of latex allergies vary from mild rashes to anaphylactic shock, which can prove fatal in rare cases. So, if you are also someone who is allergic to latex, it is better to go for other latex free gloves. In addition to that, even if you are not allergic to latex, you can cause an allergic reaction to anyone you touch with them, like your patients or clients. This is the reason why the manufacturer professionals shifted towards latex free examination gloves, i.e., nitrile gloves.
The latex free material, nitrile, can be a perfect alternative for the raw material of the disposable gloves. By using these latex free disposable gloves, you will not only lower the chances of getting the latex allergies yourself but also keeping your patients safe from a latex allergy. The nitrile gloves that are available in the market today offer a more snug and comfortable fit than the latex ones. Moreover, the nitrile gloves have a low friction coefficient, making the gloves easier to take on and off.
The Final Thoughts
We have tried our best to point out why nitrile gloves can be a perfect alternative to latex ones. Now, you have to decide which type of disposable gloves you will prefer to use in your professional life. So, whether you are a medical professional, tattoo artist, mechanic, or industrial worker, you have to make your call carefully. So, think about it and choose the right option for yourself.