Uncoated Intermittent catheters are the traditional intermittent catheters. It is in practice to coat these catheters in a lubricating jelly or an anesthetic gel right before insertion. Coating these catheters is necessary mostly in cases of male patients, while female patients may or may not choose to use them with a lubricant. There are two types of uncoated catheters: Latex-free intermittent catheters and Red rubber catheters.
Latex-free uncoated intermittent catheters are mostly made from medical-grade polyvinyl chloride (PVC) which is the commonly used type of plastic. They are available in range of stiffness with firm and soft versions. Firm versions aid in insertion whereas soft versions are flexible enough to easily slide through the bends in the male urethra. It is relatively easier to pass a catheter through a female urethra as it is short and straight. An advantage of PVC catheters is that the clear PVC material eliminates the concerns of latex allergies.
Red Rubber uncoated intermittent catheters are more flexible than PVC catheters. These are generally the softest type of catheters but are not commonly recommended to individuals with latex sensitivity. Red Rubber catheters are soft, comfortable and economical. They are detectable in X-rays and come in both sterile and non-sterile versions.
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