What is the red stuff in my shower?

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 red mold in my shower?

To clean red mold from hard surfaces (bathroom showers, walls, and floors), you can use a commercial cleaning product like bleach. Combine one-part bleach with three parts water. Next, soak a cloth in the bleach solution and apply it over the surface.

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.

Is pink mold harmful?

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 causes pink residue in shower?

The pink colour is from a pigment (prodigiosin) produced by Serratia marcescens under the right growing conditions. Serratia marcescens is commonly referred to as “pink mold” or “pink mildew” but it is bacteria causing those irritating pink stains in the bathtub and on your shower head.

Pink Mold - How Dangerous

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.

Why is my water leaving red stains?

Cause: Typically orange or reddish staining is caused by high contents of iron, which is most common in well water systems. These stains are typically found inside the home around sinks, tub drains, and toilets, and outside wherever irrigation is directed.

What happens if I touch pink mold?

Beware of the following pink mold symptoms and illnesses:

Allergic reactions like coughing, sneezing, eye irritations and skin rash. Pneumonia and bronchitis due to prolonged lung inflammation. Bladder infections and urinary tract infections (UTI) Respiratory tract infection.

What mold is red?

Red is usually not a consistent color for mold to be, and it usually will change colors over time. Many species of mold can become red at some point during their lives, but it's most likely Aspergillus due to its prevalence. If you find red mold on food, however, that is probably Neurospora.

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.

Can Serratia marcescens be cured?

Abstract. An old man receiving peritoneal dialysis was diagnosed with Serratia marcescens peritonitis, a rare case with poor prognosis. Powerful antibiotics based on culture results and enough duration cured the case successfully despite its high virulence.

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.

Is Serratia marcescens 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 shower mold toxic?

Most shower mold is just gross looking, but for people with allergies and respiratory issues, it could pose a threat. Mold spores can become airborne and when inhaled can be dangerous for human health. Shower mold probably will not kill you, but exposure can cause you to have a runny nose, cough, and headaches.

How do you stop red mold?

How do you prevent pink mold?

What is the orange stuff in my shower?

Orange stains in your shower are likely hard water stains caused by excess minerals like magnesium and iron in your water. Even if your water appears clear, the minerals will oxidize with air and stick to soap scum in the shower. They are not harmful to your health but can be unsightly.

Is iron in water harmful?

Iron in water does not usually present a health risk. Your body needs iron to transport oxygen in the blood. Most iron comes from food, since the body cannot easily absorb iron from water. Iron may present some concern if harmful bacteria have entered a well.

Is iron in tap water harmful?

Iron is not hazardous to health, but it is considered a secondary or aesthetic contaminant. Essential for good health, iron helps transport oxygen in the blood. Most tap water in the United States supplies approximately 5 percent of the dietary requirement for iron.

How do you remove iron from water?

Filtration is the best way to remove this while also removing: sand, mica, dirt, or sediment if present in your well water. Sometimes the Kinetico® Mach Super Kit cartridge filter can work in removing ferric iron. If levels are high a chemical-free backwashing filter is a better filtration option.

How do you get rid of Serratia marcescens in water?

To clean pet water dishes, bathrooms, and kitchen surfaces

Disinfect the surfaces where the slime has formed with a strong chlorine bleach solution. Leave the disinfectant solution on the affected surface(s) for 10 – 20 minutes before thoroughly rinsing away with clean water.

What disinfectant kills Serratia marcescens?

Though Serratia will not survive in chlorinated drinking water, the bacteria can grow in toilets where water is left standing long enough for the chlorine to dissipate. To kill the bacteria, clean affected surfaces with a strong chlorine bleach solution.

What happens if I touch Serratia marcescens?

If an infected hand touches the eye and natural immunity is unable to fend off Serratia colonization, the result might be conjunctivitis, keratitis or tear duct infections, for example. Once in the bloodstream, Serratia bacteria can cause endocarditis, bacteremia, meningitis, osteomyelitis and arthritis.

What are the signs and symptoms of 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.

Can Serratia cause UTI?

There have been only a few reported human cases of infections caused by Serratia rubidae in literature. Among these sparse cases there is only one reported case of urinary tract infection (UTI) due to S. rubidae in literature. The organism is known to produce a red pigment known as prodigiosin.