Latex has long been one of the leading disposable glove materials. However, latex gloves have become more niche over time due to an increased rate of skin allergies, especially among those who are regularly in contact with the material. In fact, approximately 17% of health care workers have latex allergies. If you work in a field where disposable gloves are the norm, don’t worry. There are plenty of other disposable glove options for those with sensitive skin.

The Challenges of Latex Gloves

Wearing latex gloves can risk causing a mild to a severe reaction, which can be harmful to both your employees and your customers or patients. Latex glove allergies typically come in three forms: immediate contact hypersensitivity delayed contact hypersensitivity and irritant contact.

Depending on which type of allergy someone has, symptoms might show up as a red rash, itching, swelling, burning or other signs of sensitivity. Because the reaction can show up hours after wearing the gloves, it’s possible to dismiss the link between the latex and the symptoms. Keep a close eye out for symptoms with any employees wearing the gloves.

It’s also possible to develop a latex allergy over time. Even though employees might not have had sensitive skin in the past, that doesn’t mean they’re safe from eventually having allergic reactions. Prolonged use of latex gloves has been shown to increase the risk of becoming sensitive.

Best Latex-Free Disposable Gloves

Browse Nitrile Gloves

Latex might be widely used, but it’s not the only disposable glove on the market. At PalmFlex, we offer a range of gloves made with latex-free materials. These options include:

• Nitrile: Quickly becoming known as the best option for sensitive skin, nitrile gloves minimize the risk of any skin allergies. Made with synthetic rubber, nitrile gloves are able to withstand short- and long-term use without resulting in skin irritations. They’re also highly durable and puncture-resistant, and they provide a reliable barrier against chemicals. Browse our selection of nitrile bestsellers to see what we offer.
• Vinyl:Vinyl gloves are also latex-free and have a virtually clean track record when it comes to causing allergic reactions. Unlike nitrile, vinyl disposable gloves don’t have a long shelf life and don’t offer much in the way of chemical protection. They’re an ideal affordable alternative for users with sensitive skin who need gloves for short-term tasks. PalmFlex vinyl gloves include both powdered and powder free options in name brands like Safety Zone and Ammex. Our Aloegard selection is particularly good for sensitive users since it’s designed with aloe vera to soothe dry and irritated hands.

Order Your Latex-Free Gloves From PalmFlex Today

PalmFlex offers a variety of disposable gloves geared toward those with sensitive skin. If you or your employees have any allergies — or want to avoid developing them in the future — we recommend you stick to materials like nitrile or vinyl. Browse our wide selection to find the best disposable gloves on the market and place your order online today. We offer discounts if you buy in bulk, as well as offering free shipping across the continental U.S. for all orders over $80! Check out our blog for more information about disposable gloves, or contact us to speak with one of our experts.