The Best Disposable Gloves for Sensitive Skin
Whether your job requires you to wear disposable gloves, you’re wearing them for a hobby or just to keep germs at bay, it can be tricky finding the right pair if you suffer with sensitive skin. Wearing the wrong disposable gloves can lead to irritation, discomfort and even allergies. So it’s important to do your research and get it right.
Luckily for you, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about the best disposable gloves for sensitive skin. Let’s take a look at the best options!
Why Choose Non-Latex Gloves?
When choosing disposable gloves for sensitive skin, non-latex gloves tend to be a safer option. Allergy to latex is surprisingly common, and can cause the wearer to suffer from itchiness, skin redness and even hives and rashes in more serious cases. A reaction can also cause dermatitis, which causes dry and itchy patches on the skin.
Whilst not all those with sensitive skin will have a latex allergy, they can be particularly common in the follow groups of people:
- Health care workers
- Rubber industry workers
- Anyone who’s undergone multiple medical procedures
- Anyone with a history of allergies
In general, latex allergies are most prevalent in people who are repeatedly exposed to latex products throughout their lifetime.
So, let’s take a look at the best non-latex disposable gloves.
Vinyl Gloves
Vinyl gloves are a great option for sensitive skin. Not only are they latex free, but they’re also powder free – another common ingredient in disposable gloves which can cause allergies and reactions. Classed as hypoallergenic, vinyl gloves are ideal for protecting your sensitive skin when working on jobs where your hands might get wet and/or dirty. They’ll protect you from bacteria while also keeping your skin dry – which is essential if you suffer from eczema.
They’re well suited to anyone working in the following roles/industries:
- Care homes
- Cleaning and janitorial
- Dentistry and dental hygiene
- Emergency services
- Food processing
- General assembly
- Healthcare
- Hospital and clinical duties
- Painting and decorating
- Printing
Nitrile Gloves
Nitrile gloves have quickly become the go-to option for those with sensitive skin. Made from a synthetic rubber blend, Nitrile is skin friendly and even considered a hypoallergenic material, the lack of powder in the gloves also helps prevent allergic dermatitis. It is highly durable, as well as being puncture-resistant – so ideal for anyone handling sharps. Nitrile Gloves also offer a reliable barrier against chemicals, to protect your skin from even the harshest liquids. Overall, these prove a great option for anyone with existing skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, those allergic to latex, or anyone with highly sensitive skin.
Nitrile gloves are well suited to anyone working in the following roles/industries:
- Care homes
- Chemical manufacture or use
- Cleaning and janitorial
- Dentistry and dental hygiene
- Emergency services
- Floristry and gardening
- Food processing
- Hair and beauty
- Healthcare
- Hospital and clinical duties
- Painting and decorating
- Piercing and tattooing
Which Should I Choose?
When deciding whether to go for Nitrile or Vinyl gloves, it’s important to consider how you’ll be using them.
If you’re wearing them mostly to protect your hands against dirt and bacteria, or to keep your hands dry, then vinyl gloves are an affordable option for sensitive skin.
However, if you require protection against chemicals and sharp objects, then nitrile gloves would be the best choice. They also have a longer shelf life, so you can buy them in bulk to get the best value for money.
