What Is The Difference Between Nitrile and Latex Gloves?

Disposable gloves are essential personal protective equipment (PPE) primarily used by the healthcare, food and service industries. There are several different types of gloves, including latex and nitrile, and even these two specifically have many differences between them. People with less glove knowledge, might think nitrile and latex gloves are basically the same—because they have characteristics that crossover. But, if we were to break down their differences concerning pros and cons or strengths and weaknesses, we’d see that they are two separate products altogether. 

What are Latex Gloves Made of?

Did you know latex comes from organic tree sap? While it’s technically made from 100% natural materials, research has shown that many people are allergic to latex. Even though many of the allergies reported are relatively mild, manufacturers have been looking for ways to improve latex by creating synthetic alternatives like nitrile gloves. 

What are Nitrile Gloves made of?

Unlike latex, nitrile is made from synthetic materials that often contain petroleum. Nitrile is often the go-to choice for people across various industries, from medical to creative. Typically, physicians are more accustomed to using medical-grade nitrile gloves. 

Latex vs. Nitrile: Which is better?

Latex is one of the most popular natural glove materials on the market. Research has shown that genuine latex gloves offer a high level of protection. Due to reported allergic reactions, latex gloves now come in powder-free latex options that have resulted in fewer allergic reactions. While latex gloves are a lot softer than nitrile, they tend to be harder to wear and still cause allergic reactions for those super sensitive to latex.

In contrast to latex gloves, nitrile can stand up against punctures, protecting you from potentially hazardous materials and chemicals. Because nitrile gloves are puncture-resistant, they are often used by lab technicians and tattoo artists alike. For those working in labs and other research laboratories, nitrile gloves offer a synthetic alternative that’s extremely durable with the ability to withstand overexposure to various toxins such as chemicals, oils, and other hazardous materials. 

Can disposable gloves be reused?

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), it is not recommended to disinfect any disposable gloves for reuse. However, they do recognize that there may be situations where it’s unavoidable. In those instances, you should be using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer on gloves that are not noticeably dirty. The CDC also noted that while people should mainly be using disposable gloves once. Some disposable gloves such as latex and nitrile won’t lose their functionality for up to 6 uses. 

If you and your employees are looking for quality nitrile disposable gloves in bulk that keep them protected, iPromo is here for you. Our team is dedicated to offering you PPE essentials to continue protecting your team when they need it most.

More Frequently Asked Questions

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