Pink Slime in my humidifier chamber

[ephesuscat]

I found pink slime in my humidifier 2 weeks ago, cleaned it and didn’t think too much of it. I do bi-weekly cleanings and wash my pillows every other day. I did a full cleaning following week and found pink slime again, washed it and scrubbed and get into corners with q-tip it this time.
I have been suffering horrible headaches, finally got a video appt. with my doctor. When she asked me about any changes on my CPAP it hit me that I have been seeing this slime. Usually I am really anxious and super careful about these types of things, I am really baffled how I let this slide.
The family doctor told me to stop using the machine, get a replacement. Called the sleep doctor, she said it is really common, just change the parts. Called the supplier, she said there is no way to replace the machine, only they can send it to factory but there will be some charge (but don’t know how much). Called Resmed, they said we won’t even touch a machine if there is mold in it.
So...I ordered all new parts but I am now freaking out about the inside of the machine. Isn’t the steam from the humidifier go through the machine, travel from the hose and come to my nose? If there is mold in the humidifier chamber, doesn’t that infect the machine as well? How can I clean inside the machine? Is running the machine by itself with vinegar/water mixture in the humidifier an option?
I stopped using the CPAP, already miserable with my sleep quality. Coronavirus worries, bad quality sleep, not able to use CPAP and the unknown headache is too much. On top, I don’t want to freak out thinking there is mold in the machine.
Sorry for the long post, thank you all for your help in advance.

[biomed traveller]

Hi, i use to see this "pink slime" in Pathology machines when servicing. It's called pseudomonas "Pseudomonas bacteria tend to live and breed in water, soil, and damp areas. The warmer and wetter it is, the better the conditions are for the bacteria to multiply."

We cleaned the machines during PM's with bleach then rinsed with DI water to remove all traces (otherwise readings would be off). Also in CPAP you don't want the smell. If it's in your humidifier should be easy to eradicate using the above. or replace the humidifier tub.

If it's inside the machine the input breather must be in a bad damp area but I would doubt this??

[kteague]

I know some people say they can go months with just topping off their humidifiers. If I did that the slime would be scary. The most I can go is 2-3 nights without cleaning. If I soak the humidifier in vinegar water and give it a good cleaning and it slows it down for a while, but in between I just wash it well and let it dry every few days. A family member has a routine of washing out their humidifier with the morning dishes and puts it on the drainer till night. He never has to worry about buildup - doesn't give it a chance. I haven't washed a hose in... let me think... yikes! It's been years. Hopefully you can do some basic cleaning and not feel compelled to replace things.

[lastlib]

I think it is caused by too much cleaning. I do run my reservoir through th dishwwhereveryother month bit that isnthe only cleaning ido.

[LSAT]

The CPAP blows air over the humidifier AFTER it leaves the machine...no moist air goes into the machine. Are you using distilled water only?

[Julie]

The pink stuff is a result of how 'hard' your local water is... it's not a big deal, most get some degree after some time and just clean out the tank with a little vinegary water and Q-tips. Don't make an issue of it (unless you have really bad water) and returning the machine, etc. is pointless... nothing to do with the machine itself or quality of the humidifier. Using distilled water helps keep things clean(er) but isn't even called for in other parts of the world - tap water is sufficient along with cleaning when necessary.

[ephesuscat]

The CPAP blows air over the humidifier AFTER it leaves the machine...no moist air goes into the machine. Are you using distilled water only?

Thank you. This is what I was curious about and couldn’t find information. I thought the steam was going in the machine. I only use distilled water. I guess after the new set of parts come, I need to figure out a more vigorous cleaning schedule.

[chunkyfrog]

I only had pink slime once.
The bodega distilled water was probably contaminated.
I never bought it from a bodega again.

[TheOwl]

I had this same issue several years ago. I called Respironics as I knew what the pink stuff was (I had looked it up) but didn't know what to do about it in the humidity chamber. It turns out I was using baby wash to clean all my parts. The directions said a mild soap and that seemed very mild to me. It seems there is lanolin in baby wash and that was creating a film on the chamber and causing the bacteria to cling and grow. They suggested I change to blue dawn liquid dish detergent and have never had it again !!!!! Additionally the particular humidity chamber I have can be put in the top rack of the dishwasher (check with your manufacturer first) which i occasionally do. This change worked wonders for me !

[ChicagoGranny]

I guess after the new set of parts come, I need to figure out a more vigorous cleaning schedule.

Which "parts" did you order?

I need to figure out a more vigorous cleaning schedule.

That seems doubtful. What have you been cleaning the humidifier tank with?

[ChicagoGranny]

I had this same issue several years ago. I called Respironics as I knew what the pink stuff was (I had looked it up) but didn't know what to do about it in the humidity chamber. It turns out I was using baby wash to clean all my parts. The directions said a mild soap and that seemed very mild to me. It seems there is lanolin in baby wash and that was creating a film on the chamber and causing the bacteria to cling and grow. They suggested I change to blue dawn liquid dish detergent and have never had it again !!!!! Additionally the particular humidity chamber I have can be put in the top rack of the dishwasher (check with your manufacturer first) which i occasionally do. This change worked wonders for me !

Good post. It's not clear about other brands, but Johnson and Johnson's Baby Soap (Wash) does not contain lanolin. It does contain

Sodium Palmate
Sodium palm kernelate
Water
Titanium Dioxide
Sodium Chloride
Glycerin
Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour
Phosphoric Acid
Tetrasodium EDTA
Etidronic Acid
Fragrance

The palm products, glycerin and the oat flour would be suspects to leave a "slime" in the humidifier tank.

Dawn liquid dish soap seems to be the most recommended soap for cleaning the humidifier tank. I use it on my masks.

[Okie bipap]

We have had it once or twice when I was cleaning the water reservoirs once a month. I now clean the water reservoirs once a week useing a small artist brush to get down in all of the corners in order to scrub everything out. We have not seen it since starting this routine.

[redlegs]

I've never dealt with anything like that myself. Then again I use to use distilled but now I use a zero water pitcher to fill up my tank. Dump it out every morning give it a spritz of a vinegar solution I put in a little spray bottle, let it sit for a bit rinse it out then wipe it down with a microfiber cloth and air dry the rest of the way.

[palerider]

The pink stuff is a result of how 'hard' your local water is...

No, it's not.
Hard water results in WHITE crusty depositis.

The pink slime is caused by Serratia marcescens, an airborne bacteria.

[Julie]

Really? Oh... I probably repeated what I read long ago somewhere... thanks.