Earlier this month, a student posted an upsetting photo on Reddit. It featured a large cluster of spindly black mushrooms sprouting out of an indoor baseboard and up a nearby window pane. The original poster (OP) wrote they had found it growing in the shared bathroom of their university. They added, “The growth spans around 4–5 inches. Does anyone know what it is and if I will be dying???” Although they posted the question in r/mildlyinfuriating, the responses explain that it’s unlikely OP is dying, but they still have a lot to be infuriated about.
Growing mushrooms in a university bathroom
Many of the commenters are joking about the situation, with many “The Last of Us” references. One suggesting OP calls the school’s biology department to take a look. In the comments of their Reddit post, OP alleged they study at Cambridge in the UK, and they had only spent a few days in the accommodations while others had lived therefore “for ages”. They added that they have cleaners coming in almost everyday “so surely someone must of spotted it.” However, others say that simply pruning the mushrooms won’t solve the problem, which must be severe water damage, rot, and possibly mold in the wall behind them.
One comment guessed the mushrooms in the photo were Coprinellus micaceus, commonly known as the glistening inky cap. They grow in dense clusters and can appear in trees, gardens, edges of parking lots, building sites, and indoors if there’s humidity and rotting wood, according to a 2010 study. The good news is they are usually edible. But it’s not recommended to eat spores growing out of rotting walls and roadsides where they could have been exposed to pollutants. Still to the local grocery aisles.)
Mushrooms, mold, and moisture
Keep in mind, mushrooms and mold are different species of fungi and one doesn’t guarantee the occurrence of the other. However, both come from moisture and dampness, which itself can be potentially harmful. Remember, mushrooms are a symptom of the problem, and they can grow very quickly in the right circumstances. Mushrooms growing out of mold indoors can be dangerous. The spores release mycotoxins that lead to negative health effects, like headaches, respiratory difficulties, nausea, rashes, and eye irritation. They can also grow out of stachybotrys, a toxic black mold, according to Canada’s Restoration Services.
Plucking the mushrooms may be tempting but they will quickly grow back if the underlying issues persist. Since mushrooms tend to pop up in severe cases, professionals are usually needed to remove them and identify the cause. Time can be of the essence since water damage can spread and potentially lead to structural issues. Mushrooms can arise from a number of problems (or several at once) such as leaky pipes, leaky roofs, flooding, and so on. Basements, bathrooms, attics, kitchens, etc. are particularly vulnerable to moisture damage, but any room can grow damp if there is high humidity, poor ventilation, and a lack of airflow.
How to prevent moisture in your home
- Promply fix any broken pipes, holes in the roof, leaky windows, cracks in the wall, and any structural breakage that can acculate moisture, according to the UK-based Advanced Damp company.
- Clean away buildups of organic materials like dust, paper, drywall, and wood, since they are mushroom food sources.
- Regularly use dehumidifiers and fans since poor ventilation traps the spores and allows them to develop. Meanwhile, humidity is an ideal environment for fungi growth.
- Avoid leaving around sources of moisture, such as a puddle in the sink or wet towels laid down instead of hung up to dry.
- Look out for other symptoms of moisture that can lead to mushrooms like mold spores, like peeling paint, wall cracks, wood warping, condensation-filled windows, and “stuffy, damp-smelling” areas.
- Be on guard for pests like termites and rodents, since they are attracted to moisture. Their appearances may call for a home inspection for leaks, water damage, or even mushrooms.
- In many cases, a professional service is needed to remove all of the spores, and identify and fix the underlying issue. It can be dangerous to try to remove toxic mold species on your own.
- After the eradication, take precautions, like the ones described above, to prevent moisture accumulation from happening again.
Attention: These stories are based on posts found on Reddit. Reddit is a user-generated social news aggregation, web content rating, and discussion website where registered members submit content to the site and can up or down vote the content. Our staff cannot confirm the accuracy and authenticity of each story.
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