Nitrile versus latex

Many agencies and end users are challenged today with selecting the proper glove material for use in a medical application. Due to the incidence of latex allergies, many departments have sought alternatives to avert the potential risk of either user or patient latex exposure, and potential life threatening anaphylactic shock.

All glove users should be aware that it is entirely possible to develop a reaction to nitrile gloves, or any synthetic latex free alternative. Web blogs are on the rise with users dialoguing about having had no problems with latex, required to use nitrile, and now experiencing problems they had not previously. Many wearers are allergic to chemical components (accelerators) used in the glove manufacturing process, and therefore, the switch to latex free gloves will not alleviate all allergic reactions.

Most major cities are providing both latex and nitrile as PPE options, allowing personnel to select what glove material will perform best for their application. With so many options available for gloves in the market place, cities are often inundated with samples and alternatives, making the selection process difficult and cumbersome.

FirstLine recommends making the glove material selection based on three criteria:

• Latex & Nitrile Allergies - Facts versus Myths
• Barrier Properties – Tests and Critical Parameters
• Strength, Comfort & Fit

In addition, most cities are adopting hand regimes which assist the glove wearer in maintaining the integrity of the skin, vital for protection against exposure, in addition to enabling career glove wearers to wear department provided PPE. Although gloves can be a source of irritation, chronic hand washing with alcohol laden sanitizers can strip the hands of their own natural oils which heal and rejuvenate compromised skin. Many studies now show that the majority of sensitivities have developed due to improper or inadequate hand regimes and with proper washing and use of newly developed technologies, skin protectants, most irritations can be eradicated.

All FirstLine latex gloves are low in protein. All FirstLine latex and nitrile gloves test below detectable levels for all identified chemicals or accelerators known to cause allergic reactions. FirstLine provides an accelerator free nitrile glove, Intercept Free, for those individuals who experience a reaction to accelerators. In addition, FirstLine provides Bio-Safe skin protectant, a revolutionary product that provides both protection and healing properties, and GloveMate fingerless cotton glove liners that can be used to absorb perspiration and reduce irritation. 

FirstLine Gloves provides a comparative study report that is based on fact as opposed to industry myths. This information is intended to assist users in the PPE selection process.

Please contact a FirstLine Gloves representative at 888-688-6768 for our full comparative study which addresses in detail, all three points listed above.