A latex glove is made from natural rubber latex and is a processed plant product. Latex gloves are the most flexible and resilient with a consistent fit. They are a great barrier protection against infection and contamination. These gloves are available in Powdered or Powder-Free, as well as Exam or General Purpose. Latex gloves can cause an allergic reaction to some users, but are very widely used.
A vinyl glove is a glove made from a synthetic material composed of polyvinyl chloride and plasticizers that softens the material. These gloves are allergy free and an alternative to wearing a latex glove if you have a latex allergy. Vinyl gloves are a good multi-purpose glove for general use and activities that do not require the highest degree of tactile precision. Vinyl gloves do not fit like a latex glove, they have a looser fit.
A nitrile glove is a synthetic glove which exhibits rubber-like characteristics. It has much of the same flexibility, tensile strength, and durability as a latex glove. Nitrile gloves are also protein free and allergy free. These gloves are a great alternative to the latex glove for people with latex allergies. Nitrile gloves are more durable than latex and vinyl and also provide protection against petroleum-based products.
The latex in latex gloves can cause an allergic reaction, which usually takes the form of a skin irritation, but could on occasion develop into something much worse. Normally a latex allergy will develop slowly as itching, burning, peeling and dry or cracked skin. More rarely, some people may develop hives, asthma, low blood pressure and difficulty breathing – symptoms which may not be readily associated with a person’s contact with latex. Very rarely, extreme cases could be potentially life threatening causing anaphylactic shock.
You should not wear any latex gloves and make sure that your co-workers do not wear powdered latex gloves. The cornstarch-based powder used on some latex gloves will absorb some of the latex proteins and will travel with the powder particles if they become airborne as your co-worker puts on their gloves. These latex proteins will give you problems as they come in contact with your skin and the interior of your nose and throat. So if your co-workers prefer a latex glove, they should wear latex powder-free gloves, rather than the powdered. The person with the latex allergy should wear non-latex gloves, such as our Designer Care Vinyl Gloves or our Designer Care Nitrile Gloves.
Your Designer Care gloves should be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. They should not be stored near direct sunlight, moisture, x-rays, or extreme heat.
The powder on our Designer Care gloves is an absorbable dusting powder used to ease the donning of gloves. The powder is actually a special cornstarch-based powder. It is officially “edible”, but not particularly tasty. The fact that it is edible ensures it’s suitability for close contact with our skin. The powder is a USP cornstarch (USP stands for United States Pharmacopeia). This means that it is pharmaceutical grade and considered absolutely pure.
AQL stands for Acceptable Quality Level. This is a quality specification that manufacturers, as well as the FDA use to specify the pinhole rate in medical examination gloves. FDA standards specify an AQL of 2.5 for the medical examination gloves. This means that the defect level from a large number of gloves will not exceed 2.5%.
Exam grade gloves are different from general purpose gloves in that they must meet a series of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations in order to be marketed as exam grade gloves and are accepted for use by doctors, dentists, labs or any other application requiring a specific barrier to blood or infectious agents. Exam gloves are regulated by stringent FDA requirements requiring specific production and quality control standards. General purpose gloves are for use in food service, industrial or any other application that does not require a specific barrier to blood or infectious agents. This is the most common glove found in the marketplace and popular uses include food service, packaging, automotive, painting and health & beauty. What differentiates the gloves is a higher “AQL” (Acceptable Quality Level – see earlier question) for the Exam grade gloves than the general purpose gloves.
The tensile strength of a glove is the measurement of the amount of force or pull required to break any glove.
Mil thickness is the thickness of the glove.
You may call and request a sample of any of our products anytime to ensure a proper fit.
There are 3 simple ways to place an order:
- Online – A quick and easy way to order 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on our secure website
- Phone – Call your order in @ 1-800-848-6335 and a friendly representative will answer your call every time and be happy to take your order.
- Fax – You may fax your order anytime to (701) 886-7797.
