Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): Gloves, Protective

Protective gloves are a type of personal protective equipment (PPE) that healthcare workers wear to prevent the transmission of infection or illness. They are typically made of latex, nitrile, or vinyl and are worn on the hands to provide a barrier between the skin and potentially contaminated surfaces or substances.

Healthcare workers may use protective gloves for a variety of reasons, including:

To prevent the transmission of infectious diseases: Protective gloves can help to reduce the risk of healthcare workers coming into contact with infectious agents, such as bacteria or viruses, that may be present on the skin or surfaces they are working with.

To protect against chemical hazards: Some healthcare workers may be exposed to hazardous chemicals as part of their job, and protective gloves can provide a barrier to prevent skin contact and potential injury.

To protect the patient: Protective gloves can also be worn by healthcare workers to prevent the transmission of infections from the healthcare worker to the patient.

It is important for healthcare workers to use protective gloves correctly and to change them regularly to ensure their effectiveness in preventing the transmission of infection.