What happens if you inhale 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.

How toxic 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 should you do if you are exposed to pink mold?

Pink Mold Removal

A spray bottle solution of baking soda and dish soap, along with a scrub brush, will help remove it from surfaces. After cleanup, sanitize the area with bleach or biocide to ensure any remaining spores left over do not spread.

Can pink mould make you sick?

It may not be as toxic as black mold, but pink mold has been linked to urinary tract infections, wound infections and gastrointestinal distress. It can also cause various ailments such as lung infection, rashes, allergy, and inflammation, bleeding in lungs, malaise feeling, and other respiratory troubles.

Is pink mold normal?

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.

Pink Mold - How Dangerous

Does pink mold have a smell?

Pink mold in a humidifier

Mold also has a pungent smell which will linger in the room even after you clean the affected area.

Why does pink mold keep coming back?

Optimal growing conditions for Serratia marcescens include dampness, mineral deposits and a climate ranging from warm to room temperature. It feeds on the minerals, fatty deposits and residue from your soap and personal hygiene products.

Is pink mold contagious?

Humidifier lung is not contagious and therefore makes it easy to pinpoint the root cause of your symptoms. If this happens to you, it is imperative that you remove all traces of the pink mold from your portable humidifier.

How long does it take for pink mold to grow?

Under ideal conditions (optimal temperature and level of humidity), it takes 24 to 48 hours for mold to germinate and grow. Typically, the spores begin to colonize in 3 to 12 days and become visible in about 18-21 days.

What does pink mold look like?

Pink shower mold usually appears as a slimy build-up, though it does not always appear to be specifically pink. The bacteria get their colour from a red pigment that is produced at room temperature. Depending on the growing conditions, the resulting color can range from salmon pink to orange or even blood red.

What kind of mold is pink?

Pink mold is a common name for the water-borne bacteria Serratia marcescens. This mold type can be pink in color — hence the name — but this is not always the case. Sometimes, pink mold can look more orange than pink. This is because room temperatures can cause the mold to develop a red pigment.

Can pink mold cause allergies?

Health Concerns

Pink mold, in particular, can cause an allergic reaction — you may break out in a rash and hives. What's more, you may develop some respiratory problems; the mold can even cause infections, inflammation, and bleeding in the lungs.

Is Serratia marcescens harmful to humans?

In rare cases, Serratia marcescens can be deadly.

Along with other bacteria, Serratia marcescens is a source of hospital-acquired infections, which can happen if a patient's immune system is severely compromised or if the bacterium enters the body with a catheter, respirator or other medical device.

Is Serratia marcescens airborne?

Serratia is an airborne bacteria and can not survive in your chlorinated water supply. These airborne bacteria can come from any number of naturally occurring sources and the condition can be aggravated if you remove chlorine using an activated carbon filter.

What does mold poisoning feel like?

Primarily, mold illness is associated with allergic reactions that mimic seasonal allergies. Respiratory symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, watery eyes, and skin irritation are the predominant symptoms.

How quickly can mold make you sick?

If you have a mold allergy, your immune system thinks certain mold spores are invaders, or allergens. So, when you inhale spores, your body reacts by triggering sneezing or nasal congestion. This can happen immediately or after exposure, depending on your body.

How do you know if your getting sick from mold?

Symptoms of mold exposure may include headache, sore throat, runny nose, coughing, sneezing, watery eyes and fatigue. In those with asthma, asthma attacks can occur. In those with impaired immune systems, serious infection can occur.

How do you get mold out of your lungs?

It's almost impossible to avoid all contact with fungal spores, so treatment for mold in your lungs often consists of taking medications. Corticosteroids often help open your airways to make coughing easier. You may need to take them when daily or only when your symptoms flare.

What does Serratia marcescens do to the body?

S. 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.

How do you get rid of Serratia marcescens in the air?

Bleach. Bleach can be used for mold and Serratia marcescens. If you opt for this course of action, make sure you have good ventilation in the room, and never mix bleach with vinegar or ammonia as it can cause toxic fumes.

How do I know if I have Serratia marcescens?

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.

Why does my humidifier have pink build up?

If you're seeing pink mold in the tank or in other parts of your humidifier, you are likely dealing with A. pullulans. This type of mold is relatively harmless, but can cause some negative side effects when exposure occurs over a long period of time (like extended use of a humidifier that hasn't been properly cleaned).

Can breathing mold cause fever?

Exposure to Aspergillus fumigatus mold can cause an infection/reaction called aspergillosis in some people. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest pain and fever.

What is that pink slime in my bathtub?

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.

Where does Serratia marcescens live in the human body?

It is commonly found in the respiratory and urinary tracts of hospitalized adults and in the gastrointestinal systems of children. Due to its abundant presence in the environment, and its preference for damp conditions, S.