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The “pink mold” you may find in your shower actually isn’t mold, but a very common strain of airborne bacteria that’s found throughout the world. The bacteria, Serratia marcescens, cause that pink or even red slime you might find in your shower, toilet bowl, or around other water fixtures.
How do I get rid of pink residue in my shower?
Shower Walls & Doors Create a cleaning paste with 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap. Using a soft bristle brush, apply paste to the bacteria and scrub away the pink film. Rinse. Once the pink is gone, you’ll need to disinfect the area.
Is pink mold harmful?
What is pink mold? It’s usually not as hazardous to your health as black mold and other fungi, but there are some pink mold dangers, such as urinary tract infections, intestinal problems and in rare cases pneumonia. You’ll definitely want to rid your bathroom of the pink mold and take steps to keep it from coming back.
What is the pink stuff on the bottom of my shower curtain?
This pink mold you’ve found growing on your shower curtain, or in your toilet is not actually mold at all; in fact, it’s a Gram-negative bacteria that is scientifically known as Serratia marcescens. The pink colour is from a pigment (prodigiosin) produced by Serratia marcescens under the right growing conditions.
Can Serratia marcescens make you sick?
More recently, Serratia marcescens has been found to be pathogenic to a small percentage of people, having been identified as a cause of urinary tract infections, wound infections, and pneumonia in hospital environments.
Why is my shower grout pink?
A: What you’re seeing is often called “pink mold.” It is actually a type of bacteria, Serratia marcescens. Bubbly liquids often dislodge this growth, even when scrubbing does not. Try dribbling club soda along the top edge of the tile, or at least above the area where the grout is pink.
How do you get rid of Serratia marcescens in the shower?
Throw shower curtains in the washing machine to sanitize. Running your pink-tinged curtain through the washing machine on a gentle wash cycle with warm water effectively removes Serratia marcescens bacteria and any associated stains.
What happens if you breathe in pink mold?
Exposure to this mold can lead to hypersensitivity pneumonitis, also known as “humidifier lung,” which causes a cough, difficulty breathing, and fever. If you have a healthy immune system, fusarium is unlikely to harm you unless it gets into your food.
What does pink mold indicate?
Pink mold can cause respiratory infections. Additionally, it causes gastrointestinal and urinary tract infections. More often than not, when a pink appearance is present on food, it isn’t mold at all. Instead, it is bacteria growing and invading your food.
How do you prevent pink bacteria in the shower?
Tips to Prevent the Growth of Pink Mold Encourage hand-washing, especially after using the bathroom, to prevent the transfer of Serratia marcescens bacteria to other surfaces. Keep surfaces dry. Close and straighten shower curtains so they will dry more quickly. Clean away soap scum at least weekly.
What is pink slime in water?
The pink slime or residue is often referred to as Serratia marcescens. Serratia marcescens is an airborne bacterium or mold that grows on shower stalls, bathtubs, tiles, toilets, sinks, toothbrush holders, and can sometimes be seen on kitchen faucets.
What happens if Serratia marcescens is left untreated?
marcescens has been shown to cause a wide range of infectious diseases, including urinary, respiratory, and biliary tract infections, peritonitis, wound infections, and intravenous catheter-related infections, which can also lead to life-threatening bacteremia.
Is Serratia marcescens curable?
Serratia marcescens is a rare agent causing peritonitis, and few cases of Serratia marcescens peritonitis in previous reports were successfully cured without removing the peritoneal catheter.
Is Serratia contagious?
Nosocomial transmission may occur by hand contact from hospital personnel and other patients. Fomites may also spread Serratia. INCUBATION PERIOD: Unknown. COMMUNICABILITY: Serratia may be directly transmitted from person-to-person, but rates are unknown 3.
Is Serratia marcescens harmful?
Today, Serratia marcescens is considered a harmful human pathogen which has been known to cause urinary tract infections, wound infections, and pneumonia. Serratia bacteria also have many antibiotic resistance properties which may become important if the incidence of Serratia infections dramatically increases.
How do you get pink mold out of a marble shower?
If wiping down marble with natural-stone shower cleaner fails to remove mold spots, you’ll need to mix a 50/50 solution of bleach and water, then spray or pour the mixture onto the surface of the stone and scrub it, which should only be done with a non-scratch bristle brush or nylon brush.
Does bleach get rid of pink mold?
Pink mold is relatively easy to remove with cleaners you already have or with household supplies. Cleaners with chlorine bleach in them can help remove the pink stuff in the shower. Spray on the cleaner and allow it to sit for a while.
Can Serratia cause UTI?
Approximately 30-50% of patients with Serratia urinary tract infections are asymptomatic. Symptoms may include fever, frequent urination, dysuria, pyuria, or pain upon urination. In 90% of cases, patients have a history of recent surgery or instrumentation of the urinary tract.
