Doctor Issues Warning About Common Bathroom Bacteria You Might Be Overlooking

Bathrooms are high-traffic, high-humidity spaces. Between hot showers, steamy mirrors, and wet towels, they take a lot of abuse, and they stay damp for long periods. It’s no surprise they require more cleaning than most other rooms in the house.

But there’s one odd thing you might notice while cleaning: a weird pinkish film around your sink drain, in the corners of your shower, or along the edges of your curtain. At first glance, you might think it’s leftover shampoo or some colorful soap. But that’s not what it is. Unfortunately, it’s something less innocent.

TikTok’s Dr. Karan Raj recently drew attention to this bathroom mystery with a warning: “Do you have this pinkish mould growing in your bathroom or on your shower curtain?”

If you’ve seen it, you’re not alone. And while it looks like mould, Dr. Raj explained that it’s something else.

“If you’ve seen this pink slime lurking in your bathroom, it’s not mould,” he said. “It’s bacteria, specifically one called Serratia marcescens, and it vomits hot pink all over your bathroom.”

That’s not just gross; it’s also a bit concerning. Serratia marcescens is a type of bacteria that thrives in warm, damp places, exactly the kind of environment your bathroom offers, especially if it’s not well-ventilated.

According to a study in the National Library of Medicine, this bacterium is an “opportunistic, gram-negative, nosocomial pathogen,” which basically means it can cause infections in people with weakened immune systems and is often found in healthcare settings.

Cleaning the bathroom is often one of the toughest chores at home.

The bacteria were first identified back in 1819 by Italian pharmacist Bartolomeo Bizio, who noticed it causing strange red stains on cornmeal. Fast forward two centuries, and it's now the unwanted guest leaving pink streaks on bathtubs across the world.

Dr. Raj explained why it shows up where it does:

“This bacteria loves damp, moist places and enjoys munching on fatty deposits like those found in soaps and shampoos, hence why it likes to hang out in your steamy bathroom.”unsplash

The unsettling pink slime is caused by a bacterium called Serratia marcescens.

For most people, the presence of Serratia marcescens won’t cause any serious problems. It’s not something to panic about. But there are some risks to be aware of.

“For the average person, it’s pretty harmless even if you come into contact with it, but you still wanna avoid getting it in your eyes or open wounds,” Raj said. “However, it can cause gut, urine or chest infections in those who are immunocompromised.”

That’s not all. The pink slime might be just one part of the story. If your bathroom is damp enough for Serratia to settle in, there could be other things growing too.

“If your home has enough damp for pink slime to consistently develop,” Raj warned, “you could actually be growing other things as well, like actual household moulds, which could be causing respiratory issues or allergies.”unsplash

So what can you do about it? Dr. Raj’s first piece of advice: focus on prevention.

“The first rule of Pink Slime Club is to keep the bacteria forming in the first place,” he said. “By curbing its growth, you’ll be preventing other dangerous moulds from forming as well.”

Keeping your bathroom dry is key. Use an exhaust fan or crack open a window after every shower to help reduce humidity. Don’t leave damp towels lying around, and if your shower curtain gets soaked often, make sure it’s drying out between uses.

And of course, regular cleaning helps a lot.

“Regularly clean and disinfect your bathroom, it’s filthier than you think,” Dr. Raj added.

"Pink slime "

Next time you notice that pink stain in your bathroom, don’t brush it off or assume it’s just leftover soap or a fruity shower gel. That pink residue is more than just a nuisance; it can signal the presence of bacteria.

Making a few simple adjustments to how you clean and ventilate your bathroom can help prevent it from returning. These changes not only keep your bathroom looking fresh but also create a safer, healthier environment over time.