The finger cots protect the fingers while preserving the quality of the contact and guaranteeing excellent hygiene for the user. They are used in consultation by doctors to avoid cross-contamination, or in care to protect an injury.

The finger cots are:

• individual glove fingers which are in the form of a small roll to unwind on a finger, or on a probe or a sensor;
• gloves with one or two fingers, most often the index and middle fingers, called Legueu type finger cots;
• leather finger cots to hold a bandage;
• rigid finger cots to block a finger;
• finger cots for feet.

Composition of finger cots

• The material that makes up the finger cots is chosen according to the use, the affinities of the users and their tolerance. Finger cots can be made of gauze, natural latex, neoprene, polyethylene, vinyl, nitrile, etc. Some models of finger cots are powdered, and others are latex free to avoid allergies. Rigid finger cots are made of aluminum or hard plastic;
• As with gloves, there are different sizes of finger cots;
• The finger cots are individually packaged, sterile or otherwise, depending on use;
• Most often, finger cots are disposable, but some are reusable, and therefore must be washed and sterilized.

Protective finger cots are used for different reasons:

• to protect an injured finger;
• for performing an oral, rectal or gynecological examination.

Protection finger

These are the rolled finger cots. They offer very effective protection to an injured finger or a damaged nail: protection against shocks, water, friction, infections, etc. They also help keep a dressing in place. The function of the rigid protective finger cots is to block a damaged finger by playing the role of a splint. There are also finger cots available which are effective for corns, ingrown toenails, etc.

Medical examination finger

These are rolled finger cots or Legueu type finger cots which cover the entire practitioner’s hand without altering tactile perception. Medical finger cots protect against cross contamination between patient and practitioner by preventing the transmission of bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. They are used to carry out examinations in sensitive areas. They make it possible not to unbalance the patient’s local flora and protect him from a possible nosocomial infection. They also protect the practitioner against infection, when making a dressing of an infected wound for example.

Finger cots for medical purposes are used by:

• dentists during an oral exam;
• gynecologists for vaginal examinations;
• proctologists for a digital rectal exam.

Finger cots are used in hospitals:

• to allow the placement of dressings;
• for the treatment of incontinence;
• to perform anal fissure care;
• for the care of hemorrhoids;
• in obstetrics, a specific gynecological finger cot equipped with a small hook is used to break the water bag during childbirth.

The stages of operation

Rolled protective finger cots

The rolled protective finger cot is installed by positioning it at the end of the finger and unrolling it along the finger. This type of finger cot, by fitting perfectly to the contour of the finger, provides optimal protection. These models can be used in the same way to protect a sensor or the probe of an ultrasound machine for example. These finger cots are disposable.

Legueu finger cots

Legueu finger cots are used as gloves that the doctor puts on to carry out an examination or an oral, gynecological or proctological sample. They are for single use only.

Protective finger cots

The injury protection finger cot keeps a dressing in place and provides additional impact protection. The leather or imitation leather models are held in place by a lace tied around the wrist. They are washable in soapy water, or machine washable.

Rigid finger cots

Rigid finger cots immobilize a phalanx or finger in the event of a sprain, fracture, burn or after surgery while awaiting consolidation and healing. Their enveloping shape provides optimal support and enhanced protection. Most often, they are held in place with Velcro fasteners. They were washable in soapy water.

The different models

Many distributors offer different models of finger cots adapted to each type of use and user. Finger cots for medical use are sold in sets, individually wrapped or in boxes.

Other uses of the finger cot

Finger cots are commonly used in other trades:

• in the chemical industry, very resistant rubber finger cots allow users to protect their fingers when handling toxic products;
• in the food industry, finger cots are used to preserve the hygiene of the food handled;
• in stationery, rubber finger cots the size of a thimble and decorated with many small pins allow the sheets to be turned without having to lick your fingers.