Vinyl gloves.

Vinyl is a synthetic polymer derived from petroleum. It’s latex-free, affordable, and used in dozens of applications. Vinyl gloves can be found at nearly any retailer, but they aren’t ideal for caregiving. That’s because they’re less durable than nitrile or latex gloves and provide limited protection against chemicals, bacteria, and other microbes.

Nitrile gloves.

Nitrile is a type of synthetic rubber. It’s incredibly durable, latex-free, and specifically designed for medical applications. Nitrile gloves were first developed during the early 90s’. Since then, they’ve become the go-to glove for many doctors, nurses, and home caregivers. Nitrile gloves are unique in that they tear easily. This feature makes it simple to tell if a glove (or pair of gloves) is compromised.

Latex gloves.

Latex gloves are made of rubber. They’re comfortable, can be used for medical applications, and encourage optimal finger dexterity. The only real downside is they’re made of latex. Researchers estimate more than 1% of Americans suffer from a latex allergy. If your loved one is one of these individuals, make sure to use nitrile or vinyl gloves instead.