Latex gloves are a top choice for many medical, beauty, automotive, and food service applications. They are comfortable and provide a high level of tactile sensitivity, and they protect against viruses, bacteria, chemicals, and solvents. Gloves made from this type of natural rubber are durable, resistant to abrasion, and can be worn for extended periods. They are also inexpensive, making them an excellent choice for budget-conscious businesses.
In recent years, it has been widely acknowledged that types I or IgE-mediated natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy is a significant occupational health issue. Many hospitals and healthcare settings have restricted the use of all NRL-based gloves or banned them entirely, as a precautionary measure to prevent new cases of NRL allergy among hospital employees. In fact, it is now commonly accepted that NRL allergy has significantly reduced and sometimes even disappeared in countries or hospital regions where healthcare professionals have been required to use only low-allergen/low-protein, non-powdered protective medical gloves [for reviews, see [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7].
However, despite these advantages, the majority of disposable medical and household glove manufacturers still make products from latex because it is an inexpensive raw material. The most common formulations of latex gloves are either low-protein or powdered, with the latter having a coating of cornstarch to facilitate easier donning and help limit perspiration. Powdered gloves increase the risk of contamination, and they can become airborne during a job.
Another major drawback of latex gloves is that they can be a trigger for some individuals with latex allergies, which can lead to a variety of reactions. In some cases, these reactions can be so severe that they force the wearer to stop using the gloves, or to switch to a different type of glove.
For this reason, people with known latex allergies should always choose powder-free gloves, as these do not contain traces of the allergen that can cause reactions. They should also avoid wearing the gloves in environments where they may come into contact with blood or other body fluids, as these can increase the chances of an allergic reaction.
Gloves made from latex can be sterilized in several ways, including in boiling water and by ethanol immersion. The ethanol process has been shown to be particularly effective, as it penetrates the surface of the glove and kills bacteria. Once the gloves have been sterilized, they should be rinsed with cool water to remove any residual ethanol.
Latex gloves can be found in a variety of thicknesses, which is why they are so versatile. Thinner gloves are perfect for medical examinations and general hand hygiene, while thicker ones can be used to handle industrial-strength cleaning chemicals or perform other tasks where a stronger grip is needed. They are also available in a range of colours to suit the needs of any business or home, and they can be purchased in bulk to reduce costs. In addition, many varieties of latex gloves are reusable and can be washed and reused again after each use.