Donning Gloves

There are multiple reasons for using gloves or finger cots while fisting. The most common reason involves safety, but other factors, such as establishing a specific scene/mood or facilitating an easy cleanup, are also common considerations.

VOCABULARY

Finger Cot

Noun a medical device used to cover one or more fingers in situations where a full glove seems unnecessary.
Noun a finger condom.

Figure 1.1: Finger Cots

Finger cots can cover a wound on a single finger thus preventing the need for a full glove.

Safety

Safety concerns are the most common reason for using gloves or cots. Gloves decrease STI transmission, reduce wound exposure, and mitigate rougher nails.

STI Transmission

Gloves are similar to condoms. If used correctly, they decrease the transmission of membrane and skin-based microorganisms between partners.

For example, during the primary and secondary stages of syphilis, the bacteria can easily be transferred between partners via skin-to-skin or skin-to-membrane contact.

Other contact-based microorganisms, such as MRSA, HPV, HSV, and molluscum contagiosum, can also be transmitted via simple contact, although these organisms are less common on hands and arms.

Wound Exposure

Transmission of bloodborne pathogens, such as HIV and hepatitis, can occur when a wound on the hand or arm is exposed to blood from the bottom.

The lining of the fist chute is rich in capillary beds. These small vessels tear and bleed with continuous pressure. Although blood from these tears may not be visible, it is always present.

Cuts, scabs, scratches, or hangnails create an exchange point, especially when moisture and friction from fisting re-open a sealed wound. If blood flow isn't heavy, transmission is extremely uncommon but not impossible.

The greatest danger for transmission exists during group events. Tops can transport microorganisms between bottoms if gloves or proper hygiene procedures are not used.

Rough Nails

Experienced fisters understand that nail prep is extremely important in preventing injury. Because of the fast growth of nails, preparation is best when completed on the day of the fisting session.

If nails are neatly trimmed, yet still long enough or rough enough to fail the bottom's screening process, gloves or cots can be used to prevent scratching and damaging the fist chute.

Figure 1.2: Unmanicured Nails

Gloves can decrease the risk of injury when nails are trimmed and manicured but long enough to scratch an itch.

Scene and Stimulation

Figure 1.3: Setting the Tone

Certain types of gloves can intensify the eroticism of a session. While leather and neoprene gloves are atypical for fisting, seamless rubber, silicone, and latex can increase stimulation in and around the anal verge.

While a majority of fisters prefer skin-to-skin (S2S) play, some are inspired and aroused by gloves. Usage can enhance the visual and tactile fisting experience. Others find that gloves introduce additional friction or drag inside the fist chute. This additional stimulation can be pleasurable for some and aggravating for others.

Textured Glove — Figure 1.4 [ A — C ]: Specialized Gloves

Specialized gloves can increase the width of the hand or provide additional texture.

Mittens — Figure 1.4 [ A — C ]: Specialized Gloves

Specialized gloves can increase the width of the hand or provide additional texture.

Sanitation

Gloves make cleanup easier in three ways: reduced scrub time, reduced odor absorption, and reduced transference to inanimate objects.

PEO-, silicone-, and lipid-based lubes do not easily wash off with traditional soap. Special tools, special soap, or extensive sink time is needed to completely remove these lubes from the skin. Gloves prevent direct contact of lube with the skin. This decreases almost all scrub time at the sink. It also prevents the transfer of odors (from Crisco or fecal material) into the skin.

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Many public fisting venues lack the appropriate facilities for handwashing. In places where washing facilities are limited, gloves reduce dependence on sinks and soaps—thus eliminating lube transference between bottoms. Likewise, gloves decrease transference of lube to inanimate objects outside of the play area. Lube tainted gloves are removed and disposed of prior to exiting the play space.

Removing Gloves Coated in Lube — Figure 1.5: Reduced Cleanup Effort

Scrubbing off lube from hands takes time and requires substantial effort. Gloves can eliminate this issue almost entirely.

Ditching Gloves

Glove usage varies across the globe. Even regionally, different communities practice different standards. The most common reasons for ditching gloves include connection, sensation, irritation, and futility.

Connection

Tops and bottoms often choose to play without gloves because of a belief that the physical barrier of a glove affects connection. The rationale for this belief comes from a well-documented physiological response associated with touch called the oxytocin effect. In human evolution, this hormone developed to foster bonding between mother and newborn. Simple S2S contact triggers the effect. Scientists later discovered that oxytocin isn’t limited to mothers and their newborns. In fact, any gentle S2S contact releases oxytocin in all humans, triggering bonding. Oxytocin has since been nicknamed the cuddle hormone.

VOCABULARY

Oxytocin Effect

Noun A physiological response to skin-to-skin touch that triggers bonding and connection, usually observed between newborns and their mothers, but also fisting bottoms and their tops.

Due to limited scientific studies regarding fisting and human sexuality, there are no data to demonstrate that gloved-play blocks the oxytocin effect. In fact, any play inside the fist chute is unlikely to trigger the oxytocin effect due to the types of nerves in the lower GI tract. Physical touch elsewhere on the body is the actual trigger. Like condoms, the disconnect experienced when wearing gloves may be psychological instead of physiological.

Sensation

Tops may avoid using gloves because it decreases sensory input. Many tops are aroused by the velvet-like texture of the rectum. Some claim that gloves impede their senses when exploring at deeper levels which puts the bottom at risk.

Except for the anal canal, the fist chute has no touch sensation. Pressure sensation in the bones and tissues provides pleasure once the hand is completely enveloped inside the fist chute. The pressure receptors allow bottoms to experience the sensation of drag, which can be uncomfortable.

Irritation

There are three causes for irritation:

Allergic Response | It is estimated that just 1% of the population has latex allergies, yet, after talking with fisters, one would think 99% of the population has latex allergies. "Allergic irritation" may be due to powder residue from gloves as it interacts with the chemical balance of the hole.
Drag | Gloves can have a squeegee effect on lube coated intestinal tissue resulting in inflamed mucosal cells. The inflamed cells perceive drag as the source of damage and transmit signals to the brain. The brain recognizes the sensation as discomfort instead of pain and tightens the hole to prevent further damage.
Binding and Pinching | Poor fitting gloves catch, bind, and pinch mucosal cells of the fist chute, which causes inflammation and swelling. Swollen tissues are then more prone to pinching and binding, so the brain closes the hole up and reduces play time. Texture on gloves that allows for better grip also irritates mucosal tissues. Flipping the glove inside out eliminates this texture.

Futility

Depth play preferences also determine whether to don or ditch gloves. The argument for ditching is that unless the gloves are opera length, there is direct contact between skin and fist chute tissue, thus making gloves useless. The argument for donning gloves is that once a hand is in the hole, it is not extracted frequently thus decreasing lower hole irritation while providing protection for the upper chute.

Wrist Depth Provides Barrier — Figure 2.2 [ A — D ]: Barrier Futility

Gloves may be futile for barrier protection but still important for personal preference.

Mid-Forearm Depth Exposes Lower Forearm — Figure 2.2 [ A — D ]: Barrier Futility

Gloves may be futile for barrier protection but still important for personal preference.

Protocols

Protocols include standard practices and etiquette followed by the majority of the fisting community. Typically, these are things that new fisters pick up over time.

Etiquette

Etiquette refers to how you treat others in a specific fisting scenario.

Standard Practices

Standard Practices refers to common sense behaviors related to fisting activities.

Glove Selection

Gloves can set the scene or exist solely as a peripheral safety component. With the exception of size/fit, selection of the appropriate glove is largely a matter of personal preference.

Material

Gloves are manufactured from rubber, plastic, silicone, and leather.

Leather | Fisting with leather gloves is often limited to niche porn and extreme leather fetishists.

For the general population, use is uncommon due to the following reasons:
- Lubes damage leather
- Seams cause drag and discomfort in bottoms
- Microorganisms flourish in pores and seams which makes leather unsanitary
- Snug-fit gloves can be pricey and difficult to find
Figure 4.1: Leather Degradation

Certain lubrication, such as Vaseline, can damage leather.
Plastic | Vinyl, TPE, and PVC are the most common materials used in plastic gloves. The fit varies based on price and purpose.

For example, food-handling gloves (vinyl and TPE) are cheap but fit poorly. PVC gloves include loose-fitting cleaning gloves and skin-tight fetish wear. Plasticizers in all of these gloves may interact poorly with certain lubes. Their use is uncommon in fisting.
VOCABULARY

Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE)
1. Noun a flexible and rubber-like material that processes like plastic, common in sex toys and gear.
Figure 4.2: Vinyl Gloves

Most readily available vinyl fits poorly and agitates holes.

Figure 4.3: TPE Gloves

TPE gloves lack the elasticity of latex gloves.

Figure 4.4: PVC Gloves

PVC gloves come in a variety of thicknesses for different uses.

Figure 4.5: PVC Gloves (Catsuit)

Some catsuits and gloves are made of PVC.
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Figure 4.2: Vinyl Gloves

Most readily available vinyl fits poorly and agitates holes.

Figure 4.3: TPE Gloves

TPE gloves lack the elasticity of latex gloves.

Figure 4.4: PVC Gloves

PVC gloves come in a variety of thicknesses for different uses.

Figure 4.5: PVC Gloves (Catsuit)

Some catsuits and gloves are made of PVC.
Silicone | Play with silicone gloves is uncommon due to the unavailability of well-fitting, well-designed gloves. Medical grade silicone is also too pricey for use in disposable gloves.
Latex | The most ubiquitous gloves are manufactured from natural or synthetic rubber. Rubber is a term that is often used synonymously with latex; however, they are not exact synonyms. Latex, when used alone without a preceding adjective, refers to natural rubber. Latex is harvested from rubber trees and contains proteins from the trees that sometimes trigger allergies.

Synthetic latex includes rubbers such as neoprene (and rubber-like fabrics) and nitrile. Gloves used in medical settings today are often nitrile because the material is protein-free and less likely to trigger allergies. Nitrile gloves are less likely to deteriorate when exposed to lipid- and petroleum-based lubrications.

Color

Gloves come in a variety of colors; however, the most ubiquitous colors include black, blue, and white. The composite material of the glove, such as vinyl, latex, nitrile, affects the intensity of color.

Many men prefer black and red gloves over other colors because black and red are most commonly associated with fisting. While they may seem appropriate, they have the potential to mask early signs of bleeding. Consider lighter shades such as blue, white, or green if safety is your primary concern.

Multi-colored Gloves — Figure 4.6: Color Options

Disposable gloves made of vinyl, latex, or nitrile are offered in various different colors. Selection may be influenced by your specific safety needs.

Environmental Impact

Rubber Plantation — Figure 4.7: Latex Harvest

Latex is a biodegradable material derived from rubber trees. Latex gloves may have additional additives (such as dyes) that are harmful to the environment after decomposition.

Some fisters base glove selection on environmental impact. The least impactful and most impractical option is a set of long-lasting, reusable gloves that can be sanitized between uses.

With disposable gloves, the following considerations apply:

Vinyl | Vinyl gloves are non-degradable and a source of microplastics.
TPE | TPE, by design, doesn't degrade in conditions of heat or moisture. It is also a major source of microplastics.
Latex | Latex gloves should fully disintegrate within five years in a landfill when voluntary ISO manufacturing standards are followed. Manufacturers may opt out of these standards. This means that latex gloves may have non-degradable or toxic substances such as plasticizers that have detrimental environmental impacts. Even so, latex is the most environmentally friendly option.
Nitrile | Nitrile will also degrade completely within 50 to 100 years, depending on the manufacturing process. A few manufacturers have designed nitrile gloves with special enzymes that accelerate decomposition rates to periods similar to latex. Search for biodegradable nitrile gloves to locate vendors that provide this type of glove.

Size

Appropriate Fit

Loose gloves agitate a hole and result in early termination of a session. Gloves should have a tight, snug fit to prevent drag and pinching.

Disposable gloves are unisex with universal sizing. The best way to determine your glove size is to sample different sizes while visiting your doctor's office.

If this option is unavailable, measure your hand and use the following sizing chart to determine your size.

Figure 4.8: Snug Fit Gloves Decrease Agitation

Wrinkles after application indicates a glove is too large for the hand. Consider one size smaller to eliminate discomfort in the bottom.

Unisex Sizing Chart
Size	cm	inch
XXS	16.5	6.5
XS	17.5	7.0
S	19.0	7.5
M	20.0	8.0
L	23.0	9.0
XL	24.0	9.5
XXL	25.5	10.0
XXXL	28.0	11.0

Table 4.1: Disposable Glove Size Chart

While XXS, XS, XXL, and XXXL gloves are available, most men fall within the S - XL range.

Techniques and Guides

The following instructional guide(s) will help you:

Procedure...

Measure Hand for Glove Size

Steps / Procedure

Lay your extended measuring tape on a flat surface with the measurement side facing down.

Step 1: Placing Tape
Position your hand on the tape. Your hand will be:
- Palm down
- Five centimeters (two inches) from the end of the tape
- Intersecting the tape perpendicularly, with one end just below the pinky and the other end in the crook of the thumb and index finger
Step 2: Positioning Hand
Wrap both ends of the tape over the top of your hand.

Step 3: Wrapping Measuring Tape
Mark the measurement where the tape intersects.

Step 4: Marking Width
Use the size chart to determine your glove size.

Step 5: Looking Up Size

SUPPLIES

Flexible cloth measuring tape, or...
Sheet of office paper, pen, and ruler

QUICK REFERENCE

Print These Instructions | View Demo

Additional Insights

If you do not have a measuring tape, take a sheet of letter or legal paper and wrap it around your hand as directed above. Use the long side of the paper, as most hands are eight to ten inches around. Mark where the paper meets, then use a ruler to determine the length of the marked paper.

Lubrication Considerations

Skin will typically absorb lube and decrease drag. This allows for greater variability in the viscosity of the lube. Both thick and thin lubes are functionally appropriate. By design, gloves do not replicate this state.

Gloves tend to repel lube, especially with a tight first ring or collapsed upper fist chute (in depth play). A tight, first ring can effectively squeegee off the majority of lube applied to the glove. To counter the squeegee effect, you can do the following items:

Increase Viscosity | Thicker lubes are more likely to coat the glove and less likely to be lost during insertion.
Increase Application Frequency | Keep the lube bottle in your free hand and apply lube more frequently, at least once every minute, if not more (especially at the beginning and end of a session).
Modify Application Method | Instead of external application, try funneling lube into the hole with a douche bulb or using the U-shaped hand to feed lube inside a gaping hole.
Switch to Lipid-based Lube | Use Crisco or shortening rather than a PEO-based lubricant. Keep in mind, oil based lubes (including lipids) can cause certain gloves to disintegrate and tear.