Latex gloves are still very popular among professionals in the Medical and Dental fields. Due to the required tactile sensitivity many users can not readily adapt to a gloves such as nitrile or vinyl. The fit and feel of latex is very difficult to mimic with other types of materials currently available to these professions. With increased awareness to latex allergies, many providers seek alternatives. Although Nitrile gloves have gained a large percentage of the disposable glove market, we have many customers who still prefer the fit and feel of latex. Manufactures have made tremendous strides in developing nitrile gloves to better match the fit and feel of latex. Nitrile gloves have become more stretchy and flexible to close the gap between these two types of gloves. Manufacturers have put a lot of research and development into nitrile gloves, to be thinner yet maintain strength, durability, and chemical resistance.
We have put together a list of some advantages and disadvantages between latex and nitrile gloves.
Latex:
- Good for biological and water-based materials
- Conforms to the hand
- Great tactile sensitivity and feel
- Poor for organic solvents
- Very limited chemical protection.
- Difficult to detect puncture holes
- Can cause or trigger latex allergies
Nitrile:
- Excellent general use glove
- Good tactile sensitivity and feel
- Good for solvents, oils, greases, and some acids and bases
- Generally has a broader range of uses
- Resistant to many chemotherapy drugs
- Clear indication of tears and breaks
- A very good alternative for users and for patients with latex allergies
- Poor for delicate intricate work requiring sensitivity