Table 1.
Attributes of various types of gloves
| Type of gloves | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Powdered latex gloves | Fits very well | Powder is harmful to patients as well as healthcare workers |
| Very good tactile perception during procedures | ||
| Cost-effective | Banned in few countries (USA, UK, Germany) | |
| Elastic | ||
| Useful in high-risk situations | ||
| Biodegradable | ||
| Nonpowdered latex gloves | Moulds well | Friction while wearing |
| Good tactile perception | Cannot be worn by people with latex allergy | |
| Elastic | ||
| Useful in high-risk situations | ||
| Biodegradable | ||
| Nitrile gloves | Latex free (so can be worn in people with latex allergy) | Less elastic |
| Moulds well to fingers | Sterile nitrile gloves are not widely available and are more expensive compared to latex | |
| Puncture resistant | ||
| Blue or black so any damage can be clearly visualized | Not biodegradable | |
| Useful in high-risk situations | ||
| Vinyl gloves | Latex free | Not useful for sterile environment and handling infectious materials |
| Useful for nonsterile environment and handling nonhazardous substances | ||
| Cheap |