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Directions for Finger Cots

Wearing latex finger cots protects your fingers, allowing you to perform your tasks as usual. If you work in an environment requiring hygiene, wear finger cots to protect your fingers from cuts, infections and administer medication or suppositories. Finger cots also keep your finger or thumb protected from dirt or moisture when you wear an adhesive bandage. In this case, make certain you leave your finger cot on briefly--you want air to circulate and heal your finger.

  1. Instructions

    • After you select the correct finger cot size, make certain the roll faces out and put your finger in the center of the finger cot. Push the finger cot down on your finger while unrolling it so the finger cot fits snugly on your finger base. Take the finger cot off by rolling the finger cot up your finger, avoiding touching the contaminated side.

    Types

    • Finger cots fit your fingers and thumbs. You can wear them on one or every finger, depending on what you intend to do.

      If you have latex allergies, purchase vinyl, leather or nitrile rubber finger cots when working with food or in healthcare. In fact, never use latex finger cots around food or in restaurants as these can cause allergic reactions to customers and others around you. Latex allergies can arise from breathing latex particles, touching or wearing latex finger cots or touching or eating food someone else touched when they wore latex. Use vinyl finger cots in restaurants and to protect during sexual activity.

      Cotton finger cots do not protect from contaminants.

    Safer Sex

    • Besides using finger cots in working environments, "use these devices routinely for sexual play involving the insertion of fingers," according to the New York State Department of Health. Also called "finger condoms", finger cots protect your fingers from infection during sex when you have cuts or scrapes. Always keep your fingernails cut short on the fingers wearing the finger cots. This keeps the latex from breaking and protects your partner from scratches. Also, use fresh finger cots when going from anal to vaginal penetration to avoid infecting your partner.

    Purchasing

    • Buy finger cots at drugstores, medical supply stores and online. You can find finger cots in multiple sizes. Choose finger cots pre-powdered or powder-free, depending how you will use them. Select ultra-thin finger cots to allow for sensitivity.

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