Avoiding problems: evidence-based selection of medical gloves

Allergenic contact reaction to glove proteins and residual chemicals increased from 1980 onwards; circumstantial and technical evidence indicates that change from reusable to disposable latex gloves was a causative factor. Several protein fractions are potentially allergenic; if low protein gloves contain a dominant protein fraction, people with sensitivity may still have an adverse reaction. Use of chlorinated powder-free gloves reduces risk of allergenic reaction; other powder-free gloves may still pose a contact risk to patients. Adverse comparative tests of vinyl vs latex medical gloves may, in some cases, have used non-medical gloves without assessment of initial quality or involved an unrealistic test method; these have discouraged use of a non-allergenic alternative to latex gloves. Vinyl medical glove properties are reviewed. Nitrile examination gloves offer better protection than latex types when handling lipid-soluble substances and chemicals. Properties of medical gloves made from other materials are described.