The Benefits of Latex Gloves

Found mainly within the foodservice and healthcare facilities, the demand for disposable latex gloves continues to heavily increase as more people pay closer attention to cleanliness and sanitation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only do disposable gloves protect your employees' hands from contaminants and potentially harmful chemicals, but they prevent cross-contamination and assist you to practice proper food safety. Learn everything you would like to understand about latex, latex allergies, and the way latex gloves compare to other sorts of materials below.

What Is Latex?

Latex maybe a mixture of proteins and compounds that's found naturally in some plants and trees. The latex starts out as a liquid, but it’s eventually becomes a rubbery material that has many various uses during a sort of industry. Natural latex is different from a synthetic latex, which is formed from chemicals and is employed to form things like latex.

Disposable Latex Gloves

What Is Latex Used For?

Latex is employed to form many common items like disposable gloves, medical equipment, balloons, shoes, tires, and rubber toys, among other things. you'll find latex products in many various settings, and it’s common within the foodservice industry also as medical and dental fields.

What is a Latex Allergy?

A latex allergy is when someone features a reaction to the proteins in natural latex. There are different types of latex allergies, and a few people have mild reactions while others can develop serious medical issues when coming into contact with latex. Consistent with the CDC, between 1 and 6% of the overall population have latex allergies. As a result, you ought to take care when using latex products around customers or with people that may have an allergy.

In 2017 the FDA issued a ban on powdered latex gloves in medical and dental fields, because it can have a negative effect on the patient if they need a latex allergy.

Powdered vs. Powder Free Gloves

Holding a trash bag with powder-free gloves

There are two main sorts of latex gloves that you simply can choose between, powdered and powder-free. Each type has its own pros and cons and is right for various sorts of situations.

Powdered Latex Gloves

Powdered latex gloves have powder on the within that creates them easy to slide on and off and prevents the latex from sticking to your hands, which is right if your staff members are constantly beginning their gloves and replacing them with a replacement pair.

The powder inside the glove is cornstarch, which prevents irritation unlike previous powders utilized in gloves. additionally to creating the gloves easier to place on, the powder keeps your staff's hands dry and cozy. this sort of disposable glove is additionally more immune to tears and rips than powder-free options.

Powder-Free Latex Gloves

After the FDA ban, powder-free latex gloves became far more prevalent within the medical industry, and that they also are common in foodservice settings. the most advantage of powder-free gloves over powdered options are that they will not leave a messy residue on your hands or equipment, which is important in food service settings. Additionally, new sorts of powder-free gloves are even as easy to place on as powdered options, making them a superb replacement to other powdered gloves.

Alternatives to Latex Gloves

There are four main disposable glove alternatives to latex: nitrile, poly, neoprene, and vinyl. All four have various benefits that make them good for various settings and are great to possess extra just in case of an emergency. Inspect the graphic below to find out which sort of disposable glove is true for your task:

Alternatives to latex gloves infographic

Latex vs Nitrile Gloves

Nitrile gloves are one among the simplest alternatives to latex gloves because you'll use them for several of an equivalent task as latex gloves, but you do not need to worry about latex allergies. Nitrile gloves are an ideal choice for hospitals, dental clinics, and other medical facilities due to their excellent chemical resistance which is far needed during an international pandemic. Here are a couple of benefits of using nitrile gloves in your practice or foodservice establishment:

The material is extremely immune to chemicals, which is ideal for cleaning or handling hazardous items.

Nitrile gloves are thin but strong. As a result, they supply excellent tactile sensitivity, which is important when completing delicate medical tasks.

They mold to your hands tightly and comfortably.

There is no powder, in order that they don't leave a residue on your hands.

They are latex-free, so you'll use them without worrying about causing an allergy.

Latex vs Vinyl Gloves

Vinyl gloves are another popular alternative to latex gloves, and you'll find them in many sorts of food service establishments. almost like latex, there also are powdered and powder-free versions of vinyl gloves. Vinyl gloves also are easy to slide on, comfortable, and cheap, and you'll choose thin vinyl gloves for assembling food or thick options for cleaning tasks. Here are a couple of benefits to switching to disposable vinyl gloves:

Vinyl is extremely cost-effective compared to nitrile and latex.

There are both thin and thick options, so you'll use the skinny ones when handling food and therefore the thick ones when cleaning.

Vinyl is latex-free and there are not any associated allergies, so everyone can use them.

These products have a looser fit, which makes them comfortable and straightforward to place on.

Food prepping meat while wearing nitrile gloves

When it involves disposable gloves, there are many various options, so it is often hard to settle on. regardless of what disposable glove you select from, make sure you have the right gloves and sanitation supplies to pass all of your health inspections and make sure you are providing quality service to your customers or guests.

Latex gloves are a perfect option because they're durable, fitted, and cozy, but they'll not work if you've got employees or customers with latex allergies. Fortunately, nitrile and vinyl are excellent alternatives. With numerous options to settle on from, it is easy to seek out disposable gloves that suit your establishment's needs and keep you and your employees protected during these times.