: Can Over-Steaming Cause Black Fungus? Heres What You Didnt Know #IndiaNEWS #Coronavirus This article is a part of a series by The Better India to share verified information about COVID-19 care. While

Can Over-Steaming Cause Black Fungus? Heres What You Didnt Know #IndiaNEWS #Coronavirus
This article is a part of a series by The Better India to share verified information about COVID-19 care. While several posts on various aspects of fighting COVID-19 are being circulated on social media and messaging services like WhatsApp, we urge you not to trust unverified content. To separate fact from fiction, we will be sharing the videos and content with doctors and experts and bring you their responses with scientific research-backed information.
One advice that is often given to people with a blocked nose or someone who has a cold, cough or even the onset of a cold, is to do steam inhalation. However, there are now reports that suggest that ‘over-steaming’ might lead to the occurrence of Black Fungus.
Mucormycosis, also known as Black Fungus, is an infection that has impacted at least 7,250 people in India and killed at least 219 people. In an urgent attempt to bring this outbreak under control, the Central government has said the states should declare the disease notifiable under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.
Dr Mansi Bajaj Malik, a Consultant Physician at Vista Eye Care in West Delhi helps us understand the correlation between over-steaming and the occurrence of Black Fungus.
Dr Mansi
1. What is the impact of steam inhalation — before and after testing positive for COVID-19?
Dr Mansi: Steam inhalation is an age-old home remedy often used to relieve nasal congestion, throat irritation and also open up the nasal passages in common cold and sinus infections.
It helps in symptomatic relief in COVID-19 patients who are suffering from symptoms like stuffy or blocked nose, or patients suffering from Post Nasal Drip. (Secretions from the nose that drain down into the throat, causing congestion and cough. Post Nasal Drip is usually caused by allergies or the common cold. )
However, beyond the symptomatic relief, its benefit is doubtful.
2. What is ‘over-steaming’? How much should one resort to steam inhalation in a day?
Dr Mansi: Steam inhalation is usually recommended for 10-15 minutes per session for a maximum of 2-3 times a day. Anything over and above that could be considered to be over steaming.
3. As steam inhalation is an age-old practice, why is Black Fungus only occurring now?
Dr Mansi: Black fungus is not a new disease either. It is a rare, but a serious infection seen almost exclusively in immunocompromised individuals and patients with diabetes. With high prevalence of diabetes in our country, often uncontrolled and increased usage of oral steroids in management of COVID-19, the cases are on the rise.
Contaminated vaporisers and humidifiers, along with steam inhalation might be a contributing factor but that needs to be investigated further.