Examination gloves are typically used in hospitals and other caregiving centres to support non-invasive physical exams, helping prevent cross-contamination between caregivers and patients. Examination gloves are made of different polymers including latex, nitrile rubber, and polyvinyl chloride. They are generally non-sterile and come in powdered and powder-free two types.

Medical examination gloves help prevent contamination between caregivers and patients. These gloves are used during procedures that do not require sterile conditions, for example drawing blood for a blood test. Some of these gloves can also protect the wearer from harm caused by dangerous chemicals or pharmaceuticals. Natural rubber latex surgical gloves were first used in 1890. Their usage increased dramatically in the late 1980s when latex gloves were widely recommended to prevent the transmission of blood-borne infections, such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).