So, are nitrile gloves latex free? Short answer: Yes!
Nitrile exam gloves are a great alternative for people in certain work environments that require gloves, and who suffer from latex allergies.
Nitrile gloves are great for a variety of workspaces, including as personal protective equipment (PPE) in medical, dental, and laboratory settings, or to protect against chemicals and other hazardous materials in industrial settings, such as automotive and manufacturing fields.
Nitrile gloves can also be used in food service and cleaning industries, as they are known for their resistance to oils, chemicals, and punctures. They're also considered more durable and resistant to tears than all the other types of disposable gloves, including latex and vinyl.
What are Nitrile Gloves Made Of?
Nitrile gloves are made of a synthetic rubber called nitrile butadiene rubber. The raw material for nitrile gloves is acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), which is a copolymer of acrylonitrile and butadiene - making them completely latex-free.
Nitrile exam gloves are made by mixing the raw materials together and then forming them into gloves using a process called dip-molding. The gloves are then cleaned, disinfected, and packaged for use!
What Are Latex Allergies?
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, approximately 1-6% of the general population in the United States have a latex allergy. This number is of course higher among certain groups of people, such as healthcare workers, who may have a higher risk of exposure to latex, and in people who have had multiple surgeries or have certain medical conditions such as spina bifida.
If someone with an allergy to latex wears latex gloves, the allergic reaction can vary depending on the severity of the person's allergy and the amount of exposure to the allergen. Some common symptoms of a latex allergy include skin irritation, itching, redness, and hives.
In more severe cases, a person may experience anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction that can cause difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, and loss of consciousness. Due to these risks, many workspaces that use disposable gloves are now switching to latex free nitrile gloves, to avoid potentially harmful consequences for their workers.
Can Nitrile Gloves Cause Allergies?
It is unfortunately possible for some individuals to develop an allergic reaction to the chemicals used in the production of nitrile gloves, such as accelerators or inhibitors. These chemical allergies may cause similar symptoms to latex allergies, such as skin irritation, itching, redness, hives, and in rare cases anaphylaxis. But the silver lining is that these types of allergies
are considered rare and not as prevalent as latex allergies, occurring in less than 1% of users!
What are the Other Kinds of Gloves Useful For?
It is difficult to say which type of gloves are the most used these days as they can vary depending on the industry and application. However, Nitrile and Latex gloves are more commonly used than Vinyl gloves in many settings.
Latex gloves are also commonly used in healthcare settings, particularly in surgical procedures, as they provide a good fit and great dexterity. In the past, nitrile gloves were not as stretchy as latex gloves due to the difference in material properties. However, recent advancements in nitrile formulations and manufacturing techniques have greatly reduced this gap, resulting in nitrile gloves that are pretty close to being as flexible as latex gloves!
Vinyl gloves are definitely less commonly used than Nitrile and Latex gloves. They are generally less expensive than Nitrile and Latex gloves and are often used in light-duty settings such as food service and cleaning. They are not as durable as Nitrile and Latex gloves, which is one of the reasons why they are less commonly used.
Ultimately, the choice of the type of gloves to use will depend on the specific requirements of the user, the environment they are working in and their own safety concern!
It is always recommended to test your gloves before use and if any symptoms occur, discontinue use and seek medical attention if your reaction was severe.
WellBefore and You
If you're looking for latex free nitrile gloves, look no further than WellBefore! We offer a wide variety of latex free gloves such as nitrile exam gloves and vinyl gloves, both available in smaller units and bulk orders for work environments that require large quantities of disposable gloves.
If your work environment includes a lot of workers with different specializations, we offer latex free gloves in different colors for color coordination and efficient organization! As for sizes, we offer gloves for users with extra small hands to users with extra-large hands, and even offer some with nitrile examination gloves with extended cuffs for extra protection above the wrists.
Our customer service is unmatched, answering any questions you have 24/7, so if your concerned about allergic reactions, or have questions about glove materials, WellBefore is at your service!