Mucormycosis, commonly known as the Black Fungus is a very rare infection. It is caused by exposure to mucor mould, which is commonly found in soil, plants, manure, and decaying fruits and vegetables. According to experts, it is ubiquitous and found in soil and air and at times even in the nose and mucus of healthy people.

As per doctors and researchers, it is believed Mucormycosis might be triggered by the use of steroids, a life-saving treatment used for severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients.

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Steroids: Reduce inflammation in the lungs for COVID-19. It appear to help stop some of the damage that can happen when the body’s immune system goes into overdrive to fight off coronavirus. But at the same time they also reduce immunity and pushes the blood sugar levels levels to go up, both in diabetics and non-diabetic COVID-19 patients. Presumably, this drop in immunity could be triggering these cases of mucormycosis, also known as Black Fungus.

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Black Fungus infection, or the dreaded mucormycosis, is caused by a group of moulds called ‘mucormycetes’, which is present in the air. It causes complications when an ill patient inhales these, which then spreads into the sinus cavities, lungs and chest cavities.

What are the symptoms of Mucormycosis that one needs to be careful of?
Black fungus tend to carry a mortality rate of as high as 50%. However, if the disease is diagnosed timely, it can be treated well. Here are some distinct symptoms which patients should be watch-out for:

1. Black crusts around the nose
Mucormycosis can mutilate a patient’s nose, jaw and even alter the vital facial structure. These are few of the peculiar feature – formation of black crusts, swelling in and around the nasal passage and the eyes.

2. Headaches and swelling in/and around the forehead
Some of the earliest and distinctive signs could be – acute headaches, swelling, redness, pain in the forehead. Doctors have also warned that the infection can impair cognitive function leading to memory loss.

Also read: What is mucormycosis? Everything to know about the COVID-induced infection

3. Face swelling 
Currently, some of the primary markers of the infection can be – swelling, local pain on the cheekbone, and experiencing one-sided facial pain or sort of numbness.

4. Vision loss or Partial Blindness
Reportedly, some patients infected with Mucormycosis are undergoing symptoms like – itchiness, redness in the eyes, eye pain, partial blindness and loss of vision. If not treated accurately, the infection can also lead to permanent loss of vision.

5. Pulmonary Infections
Some of the pulmonary complications can start off in the form of – nosebleeds, nasal blockage, cause a reduction in facial sensation. Other symptoms like cough, fever, chest pain, which are also generally some of the respiratory symptoms associated with COVID-19 can also be seen in case of mucormycosis.