Serratia marcesens

[jlg_uk]

Over the last few years, I've noticed pink residue in my bathroom - around the plug hole, shower head etc. It's pretty minor and cleans off, but until recently I didn't know what it was.

It turns out it's likely Serratia marcesens. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serratia_marcescens

A bacteria that can cause "conjunctivitis, keratitis, endophthalmitis, and tear duct infections."

I've put some extra effort into cleaning my bathroom with bleach, and will clean it more regularly that perhaps I used too. Although it's not necessarily anything to do with my eye problems it can't hurt to get rid off this stuff (or keep my bathroom extra clean).

[calli66]

That's interesting. I have noticed that orange stuff in my Water Pik (water jet teeth cleaning device). That's because a little film of water always sits in the bottom of it. I usually get around to cleaning it with some bleach, but I'm kind of lazy about it. I was sort of wondering if that had anything to do with my slight but chronic sore throat for the last few weeks.

Good post.

C

[Plat]

I have this same pink residue in my shower drain and around the shower base. I use to shower with letting the water hit me in the face with my eyes open, this was before all the eye problems, now I close my eyes. Could it be something in the water? I know there is Chlorine in the water but not enough. Also chlroine must not be good for us. I had someone come do a water test and they had me fill a glass of water and stick my hand in it. They then put a drop of something on my hand after I took it out of the water and my hand turned yellow(from the chlorine in the water). Then, they had me wash my hands with distilled water and made me do the same thing with distilled water. It did not turn yellow this time. So this told me that chlorine stays on your skin after you have showered. Could this cause the eye problems? I use an SOS pad to clean the pink residue but it last for about 1 week before it appears again.