Medical Gloves / Examination Gloves / Doctor Gloves

Each batch of medical gloves undergoes a testing process to ensure that they are high quality and effectively fulfill their purpose of providing adequate protection. The FDA sets an “acceptable quality limit” of up to how many gloves can fail the test. If too many gloves in a batch fail FDA testing, the entire batch is disqualified and does not receive medical grade certification.

This means that gloves labeled as medical grade are the highest possible quality and are the ultimate glove choice for healthcare professionals and others dealing with bodily fluids or hazardous drugs. They’ve been tested for leak resistance, tear resistance, and biocompatibility, and have been cleared for usage in the medical industry. 

Who Wears Disposable Medical Gloves?

Workers in industries where cross-contamination is possible, who are using gloves that will come in direct contact with patients or clients, are often required to wear examination gloves. 

Caregivers, beauticians, nurses, and tattooists all need to wear exam gloves, to protect themselves and the ones they are servicing. Often, professionals refer to their gloves as dental gloves, lab gloves or doctor gloves; depending on their own roles, but they’re really all the same disposable medical gloves. 

Color Significance of Medical Gloves

The color of a pair of medical gloves is often purposeful. Here are a few examples of glove colors with significance. 

• Black Medical Gloves: These are most often used as tattoo gloves. 
• Pink Medical Gloves: These are often utilized to support and promote breast cancer awareness. 
• Purple Medical Gloves: These gloves are sometimes worn as chemo gloves. 
• Blue Medical Gloves: These gloves are the classics; they’re the standard color of gloves used in the medical industry.

What to Look for in Medical Gloves

When searching for medical gloves, you want ones that are thick enough to prevent tears from occurring easily and provide enough protection, but thin enough to allow for adequate tactile sensitivity. Gloves with a thickness of 4-8 mil offer the best balance of both, and are therefore the most common kinds of medical gloves. 

If you need a lot of tactile sensitivity in order to accomplish tasks properly, choose thinner gloves. If protection and puncture resistance is most important to you, pick thicker gloves. 

How to Measure Medical Gloves

Here’s how to discover your glove size. Measure the width of the palm of your dominant hand with a measuring tape, and then check the chart below.

Medical Gloves: Most Common Compositions

Medical exam gloves are usually made of vinyl, latex, or nitrile.

Medical Latex Gloves

The medical rubber gloves are the #1 preferred choice of healthcare professionals, due to their comfortable, flexible fit. They have the highest level of touch sensitivity, and are comprised of natural rubber and are therefore biodegradable. 

Medical Grade Nitrile Gloves

Nitrile gloves are the gloves of choice when thickness is the primary preference. These gloves are the most puncture-resistant, and are available in dark colors so that you can tell immediately if the glove has been punctured. They are also the most chemical resistant. Since nitrile gloves are synthetic, they are long-lasting, and very durable. Nitrile gloves are the best quality gloves for those with latex allergies who can only wear latex free medical gloves.

Vinyl Medical Gloves

These cheap medical gloves are for anyone whose foremost concern is the financial aspect. Vinyl medical gloves are often bought in bulk for healthcare facilities, since these gloves are the most cost-efficient option for anyone looking for medical grade gloves. They have a looser fit than the other kinds of gloves, and are good for anyone who will be changing gloves very frequently. Vinyl gloves are not designed for use with hazardous substances; they are a basic barrier designed for quick and easy tasks. 

How to Use Medical Gloves

Where to Buy the Best Medical Gloves

If you’re looking for disposable medical gloves in bulk or in a smaller quantity, check out AvaCare Medical. We have a huge assortment of countless kinds of top-rated medical exam gloves, including the popular ChemoPlus Gloves, Kimberly Clark Purple Nitrile Gloves, and many other quality choices. 

AvaCare Medical is your source of medical supplies; gloves or otherwise. If you have any questions regarding a specific product we offer, contact our customer care reps at 1.877.813.7799 and they’ll be happy to assist you.