Employees in the healthcare field and other work settings use exam gloves for a variety of tasks involving "non-sterile" contact. But for the best results, workers must take special precautions when donning and using the disposable gloves.

Although non-sterile, exam gloves provide workers an important protective barrier against chemicals and other potentially irritating substances. Wearing them is also a basic element of good hand hygeine, which is crucial in healthcare environments. Therefore, exam gloves should be easily accessible in treatment areas and all other locations where hand protection is required.

Donning Exam Gloves
It's essential to don exam gloves correctly for the best performance of the material. Improper donning can lead to unnecessary stretching and tearing that can lower the protection level. For example, grabbing gloves too hard at the cuff with fingernails can be a problem, particularly for people with ragged or long nails. (About 90 percent of breaches and breaks in vinyl gloves, for instance, happen at the fingertips-between the first finger and the thumb.) Ideally, fingernails should not be more than a quarter-inch in length. Another major threat when donning exam gloves are rings with sharp edges that can easily produce tearing.

Before gloves are put on, the hands should be thoroughly dry because glove material can be degraded by moisture. And the right size exam gloves must be selected to ensure adequate fit in the length, contour and thumb positioning. This can help glove wearers avoid undue stress and premature tearing of the material. Also, exam gloves should be changed frequently to reduce the potential for barrier compromise. And, of course, they should be changed at any time they become damaged.

Other Tips for Wearing Exam Gloves
Regardless of the work setting, it's important to keep the hands healthy by protecting them from potentially harmful substances. Here are some helpful tips of what you should and should not do when using exam gloves:

You should:

1. Wash/dry your hands before donning gloves, if your hands are dirty or if you've handled chemicals with your bare hands.
2. Wash your hands and change the exam gloves if spills or splashes with substances occur.
3. Apply a water-based hand cream after washing your hands to replace natural oils and soothe the skin.
4. Report any skin reactions to the appropriate department and seek medical treatment if needed.

You should not:

1. Apply an oil-based emollient prior to wearing exam gloves, as this can increase absorption of the proteins found in the glove and can cause glove deterioration. If you need an emollient to stop your hands drying out, these are best used at the end of a work session.
2. Scrub the skin or use abrasive cleansers.
3. Use harsh workplace solvents, such as paraffin or acetone, to clean your hands.
4. Use latex gloves if you have sensitivity to natural rubber latex.

With proper donning and usage, exam gloves can provide protection for professionals in all types of work environments. DonTheGlove.com provides a wide variety of exam gloves which are available in multiple sizes and options.