1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Best Shower heads for MAC

Posted by kathyhg @kathyhg, Mar 18, 2019

I've been reading about shower heads and it seems that many are bad for growing bacteria. One mentioned on another forum was called The Original Chrome Shower Head by Shower Clear. It is very expensive and wondering if anyone has experience with this or others that might be good.
Thanks,

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Feb 18 6:14pm
In reply to @filefolder1 "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9802317/ According to this study, greater numbers of bacteria were found in “rain head” style shower..." + (show)
@filefolder1

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9802317/
According to this study, greater numbers of bacteria were found in “rain head” style shower heads than hand held or “massage” heads. I wonder if that’s because rain head styles are mounted flat and therefore don’t drain completely or dry as fast?

I’ve also been researching using vinegar for disinfecting shower head. Seems it has to be at least 6% acetic acid. Most of what is sold in US is less than that. At that higher strength, can only submerge 30 minutes before damage to materials.

I use a household vinegar soak once a week to reduce mineral clogging but I’m not finding where that practice kills MAC. Even so called “cleaning vinegar” in the US is only 5%.

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The higher strength vinegar is readily available at places like Home Depot. I regularly buy 30% vinegar there and dilute 3 parts water to 1 part vinegar, which give about 7%-71/2% concentration.
Sue

REPLY
becleartoday | @becleartoday | Feb 19 7:21am
In reply to @filefolder1 "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9802317/ According to this study, greater numbers of bacteria were found in “rain head” style shower..." + (show)
@filefolder1

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9802317/
According to this study, greater numbers of bacteria were found in “rain head” style shower heads than hand held or “massage” heads. I wonder if that’s because rain head styles are mounted flat and therefore don’t drain completely or dry as fast?

I’ve also been researching using vinegar for disinfecting shower head. Seems it has to be at least 6% acetic acid. Most of what is sold in US is less than that. At that higher strength, can only submerge 30 minutes before damage to materials.

I use a household vinegar soak once a week to reduce mineral clogging but I’m not finding where that practice kills MAC. Even so called “cleaning vinegar” in the US is only 5%.

Jump to this post

That is one long and complex article! My understanding from reading it is when the wall-mounted showerhead was put on “rain” mode, more small showerhead holes were involved and thereby creating more mist. The “massager” function used the larger holes in the center of the wall-mounted showerhead and created less mist and put less NTM in the air.

This is consistent with Dr. Falkinham’s recommendations to use a showerhead with large holes. Also, whenever possible, to leave the bathroom when the shower is first turned on and bacteria breaks off from the biofilm lining the pipes. Additionally, to make sure your window is open and the fan is on.

I live in an apartment building and this is not possible for me. I don’t have a window in my bathroom, nor a fan. So I tend to take short showers. And, I use a handheld showerhead on the massager setting (only large holds in center of showerhead are used) that I hold close to my body so it creates very little mist.

Best,
Linda Esposito

REPLY
ljostroga1973 | @ljostroga1973 | Feb 19 1:00pm

I put a rain head but I have it at an angle. Is that ok. It drains at a angle

REPLY
cavlover | @cavlover | Feb 19 2:40pm

What about a Rainfall showerhead? My husband talked to a doctor who has Bronchiectasis and NTM who recommended these.
I guess these are different than the “rain” mode??

REPLY
mame | @mame | Aug 22 12:10pm
In reply to @sueinmn "I think there is no definitive answer on this issue. A study by NIH shows NTM..." + (show)
@sueinmn

I think there is no definitive answer on this issue. A study by NIH shows NTM can form a biofilm in PVC pipes which is not dissipated by drying out. Another study of biofilm suggests it cannot be "rinsed away" by flushing pipes. There is research that suggests that copper pipe doesn't have the same problem. If NTM (MAC/MAI) is present in water it may aerosolize. Some suggest this as a possible vector of infection. But, if the NTM forms a biofilm in your pipes, no kind of shower head or cleaning of the head will eliminate it. To suggest otherwise is not supported by research. I would be cautious about succumbing to a sales pitch, thinking it was somehow keeping me safe. I minimize time in the shower and we set the water heater to 140F to inhibit growth.

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Are hand held shower spray worse with all that hose?

REPLY
mame | @mame | Aug 22 12:18pm
In reply to @sueinmn "I think there is no definitive answer on this issue. A study by NIH shows NTM..." + (show)
@sueinmn

I think there is no definitive answer on this issue. A study by NIH shows NTM can form a biofilm in PVC pipes which is not dissipated by drying out. Another study of biofilm suggests it cannot be "rinsed away" by flushing pipes. There is research that suggests that copper pipe doesn't have the same problem. If NTM (MAC/MAI) is present in water it may aerosolize. Some suggest this as a possible vector of infection. But, if the NTM forms a biofilm in your pipes, no kind of shower head or cleaning of the head will eliminate it. To suggest otherwise is not supported by research. I would be cautious about succumbing to a sales pitch, thinking it was somehow keeping me safe. I minimize time in the shower and we set the water heater to 140F to inhibit growth.

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Does the 140 degrees apply if you have on-demand hot water as opposed to tanks? Are hand held shower sprayers worse with all that hose?

REPLY
helen1000 | @helen1000 | Aug 26 6:23am

Is there a DNA test for people who got MAC? As most of are slender type, have food sensitivity, I have seen an article that there is a genetic mutation to cause people to be prone to MAC infection.

REPLY
helen1000 | @helen1000 | Aug 26 6:26am

Even though shower head is replaced regularly, how about pipe? If there is accumulation of MAC in pipes, it may go out via shower head.

REPLY
helen1000 | @helen1000 | Aug 26 6:29am
In reply to @kathyhg "I had the same experience with GI recommending treatment but the respirologist said not to take..." + (show)
@kathyhg

I had the same experience with GI recommending treatment but the respirologist said not to take anything for it (I think it’s called silent reflux).

Instead, respirology recommended not eating or drinking anything 3 hours before going to bed/napping and elevating the head of my bed. I had already been managing acid reflux through diet/lifestyle changes.

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I even heard there is silent GERD. For people who sleep after eating and eat three big meals instead of multiple small ones, they may have it.

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