4 medical uses and benefits of blue nitrile gloves
If there is one product that tops the list of disposable medical supplies, it would be, without a doubt, the surgical glove. We have already talked about it in our blog, but today we are going to talk specifically about blue nitrile gloves.
Nitrile gloves are used in most medical procedures due to their ability to prevent contamination between medical personnel and patient.
These products are manufactured with higher quality standards than any other type of glove, making them sterile and anatomical and allowing for greater precision and sensitivity in medical practice.
Now one might ask, with so many materials available in the manufacture of disposable gloves, why choose nitrile medical gloves over gloves made of any other material?
Below, we’ll answer this question and show you a couple of things you need to know about disposable nitrile gloves, so you’ll have the information you need when you place your next order.
1. Benefits of nitrile
Before elaborating on what nitrile gloves are, perhaps the best way to open this article is to clearly explain what nitrile is. We will try to provide you with as non-technical a definition as possible:
Nitrile is a material of synthetic origin, product of the polymerization of acrylonitrile and butadiene, which is known as synthetic rubber due to its capacity to emulate rubber in elasticity.
What are nitrile gloves made of?
Nitrile glove, also known as NBR, i.e. nitrile butadiene rubber, is a synthetic rubber copolymer consisting of acrylonitrile and butadiene.
What are nitrile gloves used for?
Nitrile gloves are used for all kinds of activities. Medicine, hairdressing, grocery handling, tattooing, etc.
As you will see in the following section, of all the materials available for disposable gloves, nitrile has no limitations.
Its only drawback is that being such a complete product it is the most expensive, but this is a feature that is diluted for companies that purchase products wholesale.
2. Higher performance than other materials
Nitrile disposable gloves came onto the market as an alternative to latex gloves to reduce sensitization to latex proteins, as many users are allergic to this material.
However, the success of the production of these gloves is not only due to the fact that they are a substitute product, but also to their chemical and mechanical resistance characteristics.
Features that are incredibly superior to latex and vinyl gloves in medical practice and other areas.
In the following, we will go into a little more detail about the differences between these materials.
Nitrile vs. latex gloves
The reason for the great popularity of latex is that it was the material from which disposable gloves were born.
Latex is a biodegradable product that ensures a high level of sensitivity, elasticity and impermeability, despite costing a little less than its alternatives. In addition, they also have a higher resistance to punctures and tears.
Professionals who have to work with organic products always prefer them, because latex gloves are less prone to micro-holes— the main reason why this material is used is to manufacture condoms—.
Its disadvantage? The one we have already mentioned: it is an allergenic material.
Vinyl gloves vs. nitrile gloves
Vinyl is free of accelerators and natural proteins, which makes it a very effective alternative to latex.
However, vinyl gloves are less sensitive than nitrile gloves, so they can be easily torn, even with just finger pressure.
This characteristic makes them more economical than nitrile, but also less efficient.
Polyethylene gloves vs. nitrile gloves
In general, polyethylene gloves are rarely mentioned in the medical field. These gloves are mostly used in supermarkets and other food distribution stores.
But the truth is that they do have applications in healthcare companies. Maybe not in an operating room, but they are ideal for hospital use, ambulatory and everything that involves a cleaning and sterility process.
They are used mostly by veterinarians and in the livestock sector precisely because of what was mentioned at the beginning: their primary function is to keep hands clean.
In conclusion, you could save costs by purchasing these products for certain areas of your healthcare business, but they cannot replace nitrile in specialized medical practice.
3. Powder in nitrile gloves
Let’s talk about the powder on the gloves. With or without and why? Do you know the reason? We now proceed to explain it to you.
We know that powder acts as a lubricant to facilitate the adjustment, given that when performing a difficult and prolonged manual activity such as surgery, sweating on the hands is inevitable. But is it really indispensable to use powder?
With powder
The powder is composed of biodegradable corn starch that is generally harmless to anyone. In fact, with the intention of being as hypoallergenic as possible, these powders are manufactured without gluten.
Without powder
For people who use disposable gloves every day, the powder may dehydrate the skin, predisposing to contact dermatitis.
Our recommendation, for those professionals who must use gloves more often, is to alternate the use of one and the other in order to enjoy both benefits and avoid complications. Consult your medical supply provider to learn more.
4. Increased welfare guarantee
There are hygiene rules that every professional should consider when using nitrile gloves. These rules refer to the hand washing protocol before and after using the gloves.
See our article, Hand washing protocol to prevent COVID 19 where we not only explain how to wash your hands in quarantine, but also how to wash your hands in general.
However, in addition to hygiene standards, nitrile gloves are manufactured with a process that is unbeatable for use in medical practice.
You may notice on the box or packaging the ISO 374-5: 2016 seal and biohazard symbol, showing that the gloves are approved against bacteria and fungi.
We hope you found this article helpful. Exploring the world of gloves is essential for every procurement manager in healthcare companies.
In this way, you will be able to make the best possible use of the gloves and know which ones are suitable for a given activity.
Do you want to know where to buy the best quality disposable gloves at the best price? Divocco Medical is a medical supplier in Montreal and your greatest strategic ally or any health service you develop.
