# Finger cot > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Finger_cot > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Finger_cot.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finger_cot > Source revision: 1348323021 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Personal protective equipment}} {{Refimprove|date=October 2007}} right|thumb|An example of a finger cot A '''finger cot''' (also '''finger frock''' or '''finger stall''', informally '''finger condom''') is used to cover one or more [finger](/source/finger)s in situations where a full glove seems unnecessary. Like [medical](/source/Medical_glove) and [rubber glove](/source/rubber_glove)s, finger cots may be made from a variety of water-tight materials including [latex](/source/latex), [nitrile rubber](/source/nitrile_rubber), and [vinyl](/source/Polyvinyl_chloride). A '''toe protector''' or toe cap is very similar, but shorter and of greater diameter. The function is not so much to prevent contamination—toes are normally contained within footwear that protects them—but to protect an injured toe against further damage from friction and pressure by continual rubbing against other toes and shoes. They are consequently made partly or wholly of a soft material such as a mineral oil [gel](/source/gel), and the end may be either open or closed. == Medical use == They are used in medicine to limit patient exposure to infection, and to protect health professionals from contact with bodily fluids that can transmit disease. Finger cots can be used in a wide scope of medical procedures and examinations, for example, when applying a [topical medication](/source/topical_medication) or during [digital rectal examination](/source/digital_rectal_examination).Corman, Marvin L. Colon and Rectal Surgery, 5th edn., p. 56. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2004. Finger cots may be used when bandaging a finger to secure the [dressing](/source/Dressing_(medical)) and keep it dry. The term "fyngyr stalle" was recorded in 1483; "cot" has been used since 1617.Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., finger-stall and cot n1, 3 Early stalls were usually made of leather.1828 Webster Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang., Cot.. a leathern cover for a sore finger Finger cots can also used as a protective barrier during sexual activities such as fingering to help reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections; however, some sources recommend using a full glove instead for better protection. Finger cots are not intended to replace condoms for penetrative sex.{{Cite journal|last1=Melendez|first1=Rita M.|last2=Pinto|first2=Rogério|date=2007|title='It's Really a Hard Life': Love, Gender and HIV Risk among Male-to-Female Transgender Persons|journal=Culture, Health & Sexuality|volume=9|issue=3|pages=233–245|doi=10.1080/13691050601065909 |jstor=20460927 |pmid=17457728 |pmc=3539165 |issn=1369-1058}}{{Cite web|title=Barrier Devices|url=https://health.uoregon.edu/files/barrier_devices.pdf|website=Patient Education Information from University Health Center’s STI Screening Clinic}} ==In the workplace== Finger cots have applications in many workplaces, mainly to protect objects which can be damaged by exposure to the skin's natural oils, skin particles, and dirt on hands. In electronics manufacturing, e.g., the manufacture of [semiconductor](/source/semiconductor)s, finger cots are used while handling such components.{{cite news |last1=Peirce |first1=Roger |last2=Zurfelt |first2=Craig |url=http://downloads.pennnet.com/digitalmedia/newsletters/smt/02-14_simco_esd.pdf |title=Limitations of ESD Gloves and Finger Cots |work=SMT Magazine |publisher=Xerox Corporation |date=2007-02-14 |pages=1–5 |accessdate=2014-10-27 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In [watchmaking](/source/watchmaking) they are used to protect delicate watch parts.{{cite news |url=http://www.historictimekeepers.com/Approach%20to%20Service.htm |title=Approach To Service |work=Historic Timekeepers Restoration Services and Supplies |publisher=Historic Timekeepers Restoration Services and Supplies |accessdate=2014-10-27 }} In [art conservation](/source/art_conservation) and restoration they protect works of art from contamination which can have detrimental effects over time. In jobs that require labor with the hands, such as automobile repair or cooking, finger cots may be used to protect and isolate an injured finger. [Thimblette](/source/Thimblette)s (also known as rubber finger, banker's friend, rubber [thimbles](/source/thimbles) and finger cones) are soft thimbles, made predominantly of rubber, used primarily for leafing through or counting documents, bank notes, tickets, or forms. They also protect against [paper cuts](/source/Paper_cut) as a secondary function. == Other uses == Finger cots have been used during the COVID-19 pandemic to limit contamination for voters using touch-screen voting systems in the 2020 U.S. elections.{{cite web |title=COVID-19 Voting Advisory |url=https://www.smcacre.org/post/covid-19-voting-advisory |website=County of San Mateo (California) Assessor, County Clerk, Recorder & Chief Elections Officer |accessdate=30 September 2020 |archive-date=1 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001035838/https://www.smcacre.org/post/covid-19-voting-advisory |url-status=dead }} Finger cots can also be used as a picking barrier for people with [dermatillomania](/source/Excoriation_disorder). == See also == * [Finger sleeve](/source/Finger_sleeve) * [Personal protective equipment](/source/Personal_protective_equipment) * [Thimble](/source/Thimble) == References == {{Reflist}} == External links == * {{Commons category-inline}} * {{Wiktionary-inline}} Cot Category:Physical examination Category:Watchmaking --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Finger cot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finger_cot) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finger_cot?action=history)). 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