Exam Gloves

Examination gloves, also known as exam gloves, are one type of medical gloves. The other categories of medical-grade gloves are surgical gloves and chemotherapy gloves. 

Despite the name, exam gloves aren’t only used for examining patients. They can provide protection during a wide range of non-invasive procedures, from administering medication to performing first aid. They may also be used to prevent contamination and injury when handling equipment or cleaning hazardous waste.

Exam gloves aren’t quite the same as surgical gloves, which must be sterilized by methods like heated steam or radiation. This is a necessary precaution for gloves that will be used in invasive surgeries and operations with a high infection risk. However, it also means that these sterile medical gloves are significantly more expensive.

Non-sterile exam gloves are a more cost-effective option well-suited to most noninvasive procedures. Tasks like performing injections, dressing wounds, and inserting IVs can be performed with ordinary medical disposable gloves.

The gloves used in medical exams are most commonly latex gloves, due to their high level of sensitivity.  Nitrile gloves are commonly used as well, especially for tasks where the risk of contamination is high. 

Per FDA requirements, our medical glove suppliers ensure that their disposable exam gloves meet a minimum acceptable quality level (AQL) of 2.5. That means that fewer than 2.5% of gloves in a tested shipment can have defects. Exam gloves must also be powder-free, reducing the odds of severe allergic reactions and irritation of airways and open wounds.

Latex exam gloves are better when you need a high level of flexibility and tactile sensitivity. These natural rubber medical gloves are commonly used for physical exams, where an accurate sense of touch can be critical.

Vinyl medical gloves are an affordable alternative when latex-free gloves are required due to allergies. They don’t provide as much protection, but they’re inexpensive. And thanks to their anti-static properties, they’re easy to take on and off rapidly.

Nitrile exam gloves are also latex-free, and they’re much more durable than both vinyl and latex exam gloves, with superior chemical resistance. They’re often the best choice when you’re handling sharp objects, hazardous chemicals, or infectious medical waste.

Typical medical exam gloves are at least 4-6 mils thick. This makes them less likely to rip or puncture and expose you to harmful contaminants. Glove thickness can vary depending on whether flexibility or protection is a higher priority, though — you can use thicker exam gloves if you need more puncture resistance, or thinner ones when manual dexterity matters more.

You can find your medical glove size by wrapping a tape measure around your palm at the height of the space between your thumb and forefinger. Compare this measurement to our glove sizing chart to find your size. 

Getting the right size for you is important. If your disposable exam glove doesn’t fit snugly enough, your glove could slip partly off, exposing you to infectious or toxic materials. And if it’s too tight, you’ll have a harder time making the precise moments you need for medical procedures.