Gloves are a common medical device used as barrier protection in the medical field. Gloves are part of universal precautions that aim to protect healthcare workers from pathogen and blood-borne disease. Sterile gloves used during surgical procedures protect patients from post-surgical infections. Natural rubber latex, the material gloves were first made from, has been shown to produce hypersensitivity reactions in a portion of the population. Latex gloves are being replaced with synthetic alternatives to create latex-safe environments.