Talk me down - pink bacteria/mould scum in bath, now worried sick

[Pinkmouldinbath]

Disclaimer: I suffer with PPA, getting support currently and I’m trying to get it under control but I cannot always rationalise everything. Please be kind!

I noticed there was a thin film of pink at the bottom of the bath. It’s probably because it wasn’t cleaned since the weekend. I got an antibac wipe to clean it with, because I then wanted to give DD a bath. I moved the shower screen to reach down and steadied myself with the back of my other hand on the side of the bath. Under the shower screen there was also a couple of very tiny patches of this pink stuff. I think it is the bacteria that is common in damp places called serratia maracsens? (Not sure on spelling). Anyway, the back of that hand is chapped and bleeding because of the cold + all the hand washing I am doing at the moment.

I have it in my head that for the 5 seconds my hand was resting on it, bacteria will have transferred from the pink patches into my open skin and that I will get a bad infection or become really unwell. I did wash my hands immediately after noticing what I’d done. DH has said that means it will be absolutely fine and I would agree if my skin was fine but my hands are cracked, so bacteria could just get straight in theoretically?

I’m also worried that I won’t have cleaned the bath well enough and that the bath water would have had bacteria in it and/or residual chemicals from the antibac wipe. DD (as all babies do) swallows a bit of bath water sometimes when it splashes over her face. I know babies have immature immune systems so it’s worrying me and I don’t want her to be poorly.

Typing it out, I think I know exactly what I’d tell someone else and can see this is quite anxious and irrational. Does anyone else get that in their bathroom and have lived to tell the tale? I think I just needed to get it out there in the hope to be told I’m being daft

You’re being daft

It’s absolutely fine. Your body has good defenses against bacteria even if your skin is chapped. It doesn’t just go straight in.

And the dilution in bath water of either bacteria or residue from the wipe would be huge. Tiny tiny number of parts per million. Completely negligible. Probably less than in clean fresh air.

You’re fine.

Didn't want to read and run, I've suffered with health anxiety in the past and I know how all consuming it can be.

You don't need me to tell you that you don't need to worry about mould, pink or otherwise. You and your DD will be fine. This morning my dog snuck a cheeky lick of my 6mo, tongue straight in her mouth and this afternoon, she dropped her dummy on the pavement - I sucked it clean and put it back in her mouth. Your house would have to be spectacularly dirty to make you ill.

Glad to hear you're getting support for your PPA and I hope you have a speedy recovery. Anxiety in any form sucks the joy from life and you have my empathy. Xx

I don't think you have anything to worry about.

Your brain is torturing you, you poor thing. I hope you can find something soothing and pleasant to do for yourself in order to begin to come down from this anxiety.

I think I have seen the type of mould you describe in my bathroom, and I wouldn't think twice about it beyond ordinary cleaning routines.

All of this is ok OP. Worst case scenario if baby swallows a bit of diluted bath water is a runny poo. Your hands will be fine too x

Skin cells

Thank you so much everyone. I wish I didn’t have anxiety following me round and that I could just chill and enjoy my lovely girl

It's fine. Probably residue from last use or unrinsed products.

A half & half mix of white vinegar and water is great for removing that mould. The smell disappears quite quickly (and no "nasty" chemicals to worry about).

We had that type of mould occasionally when I’ve was lazy with the cleaning. I noticed it in the cat’s water bowl once. She’s fine. We’re fine.
I didn’t know what it was to start with and it was such a nice colour I assumed it was ok. Then I read up on it and realised I ought to be better at cleaning, so I don’t get it anymore.