For the medical professions, protection is a vital consideration. Providing a barrier against chemicals and against infection, as well as preventing cross contamination between patients, disposable medical gloves are one of the things that a medical professional – whether a doctor, a dentist or even a veterinarian – simply cannot function without. Other professions increasingly require similar protection, and medical grade gloves are today frequently used by hairdressers, tattooists and many other industries.

Different medical gloves, however, are suited to different tasks – so here’s a quick guide on what you should be looking for.

AQL

AQL, or Acceptable Quality Level, is a quality standard that measures the likelihood of pinhole defects in medical gloves through random sample testing. The AQL number indicates the maximum number of defects that may be found in a sample of 100; for medical grade gloves, this must be no more than 1.5. All of the medical gloves we supply meet this standard.

Material

Different materials offer different levels of sensitivity and protection. Latex has been, for many years, the most popular type of glove for medical professionals as it offers a high level of sensitivity for carrying out delicate procedures. However, if latex allergies or sensitivities are an issue, then alternatives such as nitrile gloves should be considered. There are also polythene and vinyl options available, which are frequently used for lower-risk conditions.

Length

Whilst some procedures only require the protection of the hands, others will require longer gloves. Hairdressers, for example, are recommended gloves of at least 30cm in length, to prevent water and chemicals like bleach from running up the arm. Veterinarians, especially those treating large farm animals, may need even longer gauntlet style gloves.

Powder or Powder Free

Some medical gloves are powdered to make them easier to put on; however, in some cases the powder can exacerbate sensitivity issues, and may affect healing. Surgical gloves are often powder-free for this reason.

Whatever your profession, here at The Glove Club we offer a wide range of medical gloves, and will be happy to help you find the most appropriate gloves for any job – just call us on 0500 456 832 for assistance.