What is the orange stuff on my showerhead?

Question

I live in a pretty old apartment with a negligent landlord, and I am guessing this showerhead is pretty old (so old that I had to sign a waiver to move in because of the possibility of lead paint). There is a lot of orange stuff deposited on my showerhead (around the inside of where the water comes out). Is it rust? Is it harmful to me? Could it be the cause of a urinary tract infection that came out of the blue?

Answer 1

It is rust, iron oxide. Very common with old pipes or well water. And I do not believe it could be the cause of a urinary tract infection.
National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse:
"Normally, urine is sterile. It is usually free of bacteria, viruses, and fungi but does contain fluids, salts, and waste products. An infection occurs when tiny organisms, usually bacteria from the digestive tract, cling to the opening of the urethra and begin to multiply. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body. Most infections arise from one type of bacteria, Escherichia coli (E. coli), which normally lives in the colon.

In many cases, bacteria first travel to the urethra. When bacteria multiply, an infection can occur. An infection limited to the urethra is called urethritis. If bacteria move to the bladder and multiply, a bladder infection, called cystitis, results. If the infection is not treated promptly, bacteria may then travel further up the ureters to multiply and infect the kidneys. A kidney infection is called pyelonephritis.

Microorganisms called Chlamydia and Mycoplasma may also cause UTIs in both men and women, but these infections tend to remain limited to the urethra and reproductive system. Unlike E. coli, Chlamydia and Mycoplasma may be sexually transmitted, and infections require treatment of both partners.

The urinary system is structured in a way that helps ward off infection. The ureters and bladder normally prevent urine from backing up toward the kidneys, and the flow of urine from the bladder helps wash bacteria out of the body. In men, the prostate gland produces secretions that slow bacterial growth. In both sexes, immune defenses also prevent infection. But despite these safeguards, infections still occur."

Answer 2

It is likely rust or copper deposits and is not really harmful unless you are soaking in a tube that has a lot of dicolration to the water. It is easily removed by using something like x-14 or another product at the store that says removes mildrew and rust. If he has well water, it is common sometimes to see this. It is more harmful for you to be exposed to lead paint, especially if you have small children or pets. You should not have signed the waiver, but rather insist he get rid of the lead paint. It is toxic and harmful!!

Answer 3

It could be rust due to a high iron content in the water. It would not be the cause of your infection. You can use a cleaner such as KaBoom to remove it when it gets built up like that.

Answer 4

Maybe it is like cradle cap that infants get on their heads LOL!!!! Try rubbing mineral oil on it after which deciding on the crud off. That's what I did whilst my infants had cradle cap...

Answer 5

It's rust.
It's harmless.
it's unlikely to be the cause of your infection.

Answer 6

it sounds like a high iron content in the water supply.

Answer 7

Orange Peels. yum