A doctor has warned of a pink slime that could be mould. (Image: Getty)
A doctor has warned about the frightening pink slime that can be found in homes – especially in bathrooms.
Not only does it look sinister, but the pink slime can pose a serious health risk, especially to those with compromised immune systems.
Dr Karan Rajan r in homes is not mould but bacteria called Serratia Marcescens.
Dr Rajan explains that it thrives in damp, moist places, which is why it crops up in bathrooms.
The pink slime also loves fatty deposits, which means it can be found in soap and shampoo.
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Mould and bacteria both pose as a dangerous risk for health. (Image: Getty)
Dr Rajan noted that the bacteria could be particularly harmful to “those who are immunocompromised”, explaining how the pink slime could infect the chest, gut or urine of someone more vulnerable.
He added that, although it can be harmless in some situations, it is best to avoid touching it, ensuring that it does not get into “eyes or open wounds”.
The doctor issued a further warning for households invaded by pink slime: “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.”
Black mould, which is often found in damp places like bathrooms, poses a dangerous risk, too – the spores it produces can lead to serious health complications.
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A report by the Department of Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, Health & Social Care, and the UK Health Security Agency shockingly linked respiratory complications associated with dampness and mould to severe illness and, in the worst cases, even deaths.
Mould can affect an individual’s symptoms, including cough, wheezing, and breathlessness.
It may also increase the risk of respiratory infections such as aspergillosis and trigger the onset of diseases such as asthma and rhinitis.