Black Fungus in India: Experts Blame Steroids, Excessive Steam to Surge

Medical experts said that a rise in the number of black fungus cases among people recovering from COVID-19 in India could be attributed to excessive steam and "irrational" use of steroids at home without consulting a doctor.

The fungal infection, which affects the brain, lungs, and sinuses, can be fatal for diabetics and those with weakened immune systems.

Black Fungus' Link To Diabetes

According to Dr. VP Pandey's study, 21% of the 210 patients with black fungus were not even diabetic.

Diabetes, along with other comorbidities, has been reported as a common factor among black fungus patients,

Similarly, a survey conducted by Dr. Anoop Mishra and his colleagues claimed that 80% of black fungus patients had pre-existing diabetes mellitus (DM).

Just 14.9% of the 101 cases had concomitant diabetic ketoacidosis at the same period. According to the study titled 'Mucormycosis in COVID-19: A comprehensive analysis of cases recorded worldwide and in India,' 20% of the patients afflicted with black fungus were not even diabetic.

Excessive steam could lead to black fungus

According to the data, burns were linked to as many as 10-20% of the mucormycosis cases previously recorded in India. In the right circumstances, trauma to the skin (or mucous membrane) may result in an aggressive fungal infection.

Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, former president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Kochi chapter, said excessive steam inhalation might be another cause contributing to the increase in cases of black fungus.

"High-temperature steam in large amounts taken excessively can damage the mucosa, the lining of the airways," Dr. Jayadevan told India Today.

Steam inhalation may appear to be a harmless process, Dr. Jayadevan adds. Still, he clarified there is no clinical evidence that it can aid in Covid-19, aside from minor symptomatic relief in cases of dry cough.

Preventing Steroid Use Could Stop Black Fungus Cases In India

Stopping the "irrational" use of steroids for Covid-19 treatment will help deter black fungus cases, which have been gradually increasing across the world, the government said on Saturday.

"The role of steroids in mucormycosis cannot be denied," Niti Aayog (health) member VK Paul said in a News18 report.

He went on to say that prescribing steroids beforehand, in heavy doses, and over an extended period is "irrational."

He went on to say that the country must combat mucormycosis because the disease has now turned into an epidemic, affecting Covid-19 patients.

Steroids, according to Paul, can assist with Covid-19 problems and are marketed as a "wonder medication," but using them in the wrong dosage can lead to black fungus.

COVID-19 affects diabetics as well, and there may be other causes for mucormycosis. States have also announced plans to combat the outbreak, with some declaring it an epidemic. At the meeting, he said, "All measures are being taken to contain the disease."

Mucormycosis occurred prior to the pandemic, but it was an unusual condition, according to Paul.

The government has requested five companies to increase the production of Amphotericin-B, a drug that treats black fungus, according to Lav Agarwal, joint secretary of the health ministry.

He noted that five more factories have been granted licenses to begin producing the drug.