Meditrade Gentle Skin Sensitive Latex Gloves, natural colour, powder-free, 100 pieces, size M, 1221RMT

Anyone who spends many hours in a laboratory or in a care setting pipetting, decanting samples or handling delicate instruments will quickly realise whether a glove is helpful or more of a hindrance. Meditrade Gentle Skin Sensitive latex gloves are low-protein natural latex gloves designed specifically for this kind of fine motor work: powder-free, thin-walled and with a stretch that moulds closely to the hand without causing fatigue even when worn for hours on end. Available in sizes XS to XL, each pack containing 100 gloves.

Low-protein thanks to a multi-stage processing method

Natural latex naturally contains water-soluble proteins which can trigger skin reactions in sensitised individuals. The Sensitive range is therefore processed using a multi-stage washing process and additionally undergoes double chlorination, which reduces the protein content whilst also allowing the gloves to be put on easily without powder. This does not make the glove completely latex-free; it remains a natural rubber product containing natural rubber latex, sulphur, dithiocarbamate, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, polyacrylate and colour pigments. If you have a known Type 1 latex allergy, a nitrile glove from our range is therefore the safer choice.

Gradual thickness variation from the palm to the fingertips

According to the manufacturer’s data sheet, the thickness at the palm is at least 0.11 mm, and at the fingertips 0.13 mm (± 0.02 mm), slightly thicker to provide additional tactile sensitivity and mechanical strength precisely where the greatest stress occurs during gripping and pipetting. The force at break is at least 6 N both before and after artificial ageing, tested with an AQL value of 1.5 for the absence of holes in the batch. The textured, micro-roughened surface with a rolled cuff also ensures a secure grip, whether used dry or in contact with aqueous solutions.

Class I medical device and PPE Category III

The glove complies with EN 455 (Parts 1 to 4) for single-use medical gloves, as well as EN ISO 374-1, -2, -4 and -5 for protection against microorganisms, supplemented by EN 16523-1 for chemical permeation and EN ISO 21420:2020 as the basic standard for protective gloves in general. It is classified as a Class I medical device under Regulation (EU) 2017/745 and as Category III personal protective equipment under Regulation (EU) 2016/425, and is manufactured under a quality management system certified according to EN ISO 13485:2016. According to the data sheet, it is also suitable for contact with food, which is relevant, for example, for sample preparation in food analysis.

Latex or nitrile: when it’s worth switching

Natural latex offers high elasticity with low mechanical stress, which means the Gentle Skin Sensitive fits snugly to the hand and provides a particularly fine sense of touch. However, natural latex is less suitable for tasks involving non-polar solvents such as oils or fats, as the material can swell. In such cases, or where there is a known latex allergy, a nitrile glove from our range is the more appropriate choice, offering a comparable fit but greater chemical resistance.

Selection guide: choosing the right size

The size range extends from XS to XL and is based on the width of the hand, measured at the widest point excluding the thumb. A glove that is too tight causes the hand to tire more quickly when worn for long periods, whilst a glove that is too loose reduces both tactile sensitivity and a secure grip.

Differentiation within the Gentle Skin latex range

In our range, the Gentle Skin Sensitive is available alongside two other latex gloves from the same Meditrade range. Anyone who, in addition to a fine sense of touch, requires greater grip on damp or oily surfaces will find this in the textured Meditrade Gentle Skin Grip with its acrylic polymer coating. For day-to-day routine use without the protein-reduced processing of the Sensitive range, the Meditrade Gentle Skin compact+, with a comparable wall thickness, is an obvious alternative from the same product family. All three share the same basic construction made from natural latex with a rolled cuff and testing according to EN 455 and EN ISO 374-1, but differ in wall thickness, surface treatment and protein content. Those who wish to avoid natural latex altogether will find a latex-free alternative in our range of nitrile gloves.

Use, storage, shelf life and disposal

According to the manufacturer, the gloves are suitable for all areas where there is a risk of contamination, ranging from highly infectious situations in hospitals and doctors’ surgeries, through the care sector and laboratories, to the pharmaceutical industry, cleaning and industrial applications. According to the data sheet, the shelf life is 3 or 5 years, provided they are stored in a cool, dry place and protected from direct sunlight. The gloves are non-sterile and intended for single use only; used gloves are disposed of as commercial waste or via the internal hazardous waste disposal system, depending on the level of contamination. It is recommended that the gloves be changed at the latest upon the first visible sign of damage or soiling, even if the specified shelf life of 3 or 5 years has not yet been reached.

Typical applications

The low-protein formulation makes the Gentle Skin Sensitive particularly interesting where tactile sensitivity and skin compatibility have to come together:

• Sample preparation and pipetting tasks in the laboratory where dexterity is required
• Care and examination tasks involving frequent glove changes throughout a shift
• Food analysis and quality control, where the glove is suitable for food contact according to the data sheet
• Cleaning and routine tasks in the pharmaceutical industry and industrial settings

For example, when pipetting a series of samples over several hours, the thin-walled material on the palm and fingertips can be utilised without the hand tiring prematurely, an advantage over thicker standard gloves.

Assessing requirements correctly: from the pack to the carton

Gentle Skin Sensitive is sold in packs of 100 per size. According to the manufacturer’s specifications, one carton contains 10 packs, i.e. 1,000 gloves, with a pallet comprising 56 cartons. A simple rough calculation can help with demand planning: at a rate of 10 gloves per workstation per day, a pack of 100 will last for around two working weeks; at 30 gloves per day, it will last for three to four working days. For businesses with multiple workstations or varying sizes, it is advisable to stock several packs of the appropriate size straight away, to ensure that no workstation runs out of a particular size.

Frequently asked questions about Gentle Skin Sensitive

Is the Gentle Skin Sensitive suitable for people with a latex allergy?
No. The glove is low in protein but is still made from natural rubber latex. For those with a known Type 1 latex allergy, we recommend a nitrile glove from our range.

Are the gloves sterile?
No; according to the data sheet, they are non-sterile, single-use gloves.

How thick is the glove on the palm and fingertips?
The thickness is at least 0.11 mm on the palm and 0.13 mm (± 0.02 mm) on the fingertips.

Is the glove suitable for contact with food?
Yes, according to the data sheet, it is suitable for contact with food.

What is the shelf life of the glove?
3 or 5 years according to the data sheet, provided it is stored in a cool, dry place and protected from direct sunlight.

Can I order individual gloves instead of the whole pack?
No, the sales unit is a pack of 100 per size.

Technical details

Scope of delivery

• 1 pack = 100 Meditrade Gentle Skin Sensitive latex gloves (size as per variant selection)

Individual requirements and procurement service

Do you require a different size, a sterile version or larger purchase quantities for your laboratory or practice? Our procurement service will be happy to support you with the suitable selection.