Finger cot

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An example of a finger cot

A finger cot (also finger stall) is a device resembling a condom used to cover one or more fingers in situations where a full glove is unnecessary. Finger cots are typically used by medical personnel performing certain examinations such as palpation for the digital rectal examination.^[1] They may also be used by kitchen workers^{[citation needed]} and others to cover cuts and open wounds while working, in order to prevent infection and the spread of disease. They are very useful for keeping bandages on an injured finger, especially for activities like typing. Finger cots may also be used in the insertion of a medicinal suppository.^{[citation needed]}

Finger cots are especially important^{[citation needed]} in electronics and areas of industrial manufacturing during handling of sensitive components to prevent contamination by humans or where only protection of the fingers is necessary.

They are also used in the watchmaking industry to keep delicate watch parts from being contaminated with grease and skin particles when manipulated.

Because of their similarity to male condoms, they are also known as finger condoms.^{[citation needed]} There are limits to that similarity, however, as finger cots are made from thicker latex and do not have features that condoms sometimes have for sexual purposes like reservoir tips and pre-applied lubricant.^{[citation needed]}

Finger cots are also featured in the South Park episode D-Yikes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-Yikes). When Ms. Garrison goes to the "girl bar" Les Bos for the first time, there is a dispenser in the bathroom that sells tampons, dental dams, and finger cots.

1. ^ Corman, Marvin L. Colon and Rectal Surgery, 5th edn., p. 56. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2004.

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