A doctor has issued a warning about a common bathroom bacteria, often referred to as “pink mould”, which feeds off your shampoos and can cause harmful gut infections while promoting the growth of other dangerous household bacteria. Many people have likely noticed the light orange or pink “mould” accumulating in the corners of their bathrooms, but Dr Karan Rajan explained to his 5.3 million TikTok followers that this substance is actually bacteria that is “vomiting up pink slime”.
He stated its growth could be an indicator that other hazardous moulds are being given the right conditions to thrive in your home. UK-based NHS surgeon, university lecturer and author known as Dr Raj, said that for those with compromised immune systems, it “can cause gut, urine or chest infections.”
He added: “For the average person its pretty harmless even if you come into contact with it but you still want to avoid getting it in you eyes or open wounds.”
He clarified: “If you’ve seen this pink slime lurking in your bathroom, it’s not mould – it’s bacteria. Specifically one called Serratia Maecenases and it vomits hot pink all over your bathroom. If your home has enough damp for pink slime to consistently develop you could actually be growing other things as well like actual household moulds which could be causing respiratory issues or allergies.
“The first rule of pink slime club is to keep the bacteria from forming in the first place. By curbing its growth you’ll be preventing other dangerous moulds from forming as well.”
Thousands of people watched the video, which garnered over 10,000 likes, and many commenters expressed concern about the mould they had seen in their bathrooms. Harriette commented: “This is literally in my uni en-suite right now and I can’t seem to be able clean it it comes back.”
Dr Raj explained that the bacteria thrive in damp, moist environments and feed on fatty deposits found in soaps and shampoos, which is why it often appears in steamy bathrooms, reports Gloucestershire Live.
To prevent this, Dr Raj advised keeping the shower “dry and well-ventilated” and using an exhaust fan or opening a window after showering to maintain low humidity levels. Dr Raj also emphasized the importance of regularly cleaning and disinfecting the bathroom, as it is “filthier than you think”.
Lili Watkins, another commenter, said: “This is in my room sink at uni, how do I approach them to clean their stuff? I’m regularly having to scrub and disinfect my sink. I drink from these sinks in the flat helppp.”
A different viewer commented: “I’ve never had this in my own home bathroom, but have seen this in hotel bathrooms, especially around the taps – never knew about not getting it in/near open wounds though and that’s worrying as a person with severe eczema.”