The Black Fungus has been affecting many recovering patients due to their compromised immune systems. One requires to treat this disease with natural remedies and treatments. Know more about Black Fungus, symptoms and causes of Black Fungus, and post-COVID care.
COVID-19 has been around for longer than we thought. While some have managed to keep themselves virus-free, others have been unfortunate enough to be infected by COVID. People who have gone through the life-threatening disease are now complaining of Post recovery symptoms. Each symptom is new and without an underlying issue, making them all the more difficult to treat.
Fever, cold, cough, body pain, weakness, Mucormycosis, etc are some of the symptoms that have been proved to be deadly, but treatable. Black fungus aka Mucormycosis is one of the symptoms that out of the blue emerged and became a deadly disease for India. Surviving with mucormycosis and it’s after effects is exhausting and horrifying for many.
Let’s talk about Black Fungus in detail and how it can be duly treated.
What is Black Fungus?
lack Fungus is caused by the moulds called Mucormycetes. These molds are typically found in soil, organic matter, decomposing vegetation, dust, animal dung, and wet places. Human bodies are not the usual habitat of fungus. It is a rare fungus that affects bodies with suppressed or compromised immune systems. People who have suffered from COVID-19, and have an existing chronic disease like diabetes, blood pressure, Cancer or have undergone steroid therapy led to further weakening of the immune system, thus allowing the opportunistic infection like that of black fungus to spread in the body.
Which Body Parts are Affected by Mucormycosis?
Mucormycosis affects the sinuses, lungs, jaw, brain, eyes, nose, and gut once it is inhaled from the air.
What are the Symptoms of Black Fungus?
Symptoms vary in people pertaining to which body part is affected by the Black Fungus.
Symptoms of Pulmonary Mucormycosis (Lung)
- Cough
- Fever
- Chest Pain
- Breathlessness
Symptoms of Rhinocerebral Mucormycosis (Brain and Sinus)
- Shooting Headache
- Congestion in Nasal or Sinus
- Facial Swelling on One-side
- Fever
- Black Lesions on the interior of the upper part of the mouth or Nasal bridge
Symptoms of Gastrointestinal Mucormycosis (Stomach and Abdominal)
- Nausea or feeling of Vomiting
- Abdominal Pain
- Bleeding in the Gastrointestinal
Symptoms of Skin Mucormycosis
- Blisters or Ulcers
- The infected area turns black gradually
- Fever
- Shooting pain
- Excessive Redness
- Swelling around the wound
Ayurvedic Treatment for Mucormycosis aka Black Fungus
Ayurveda has a different aspect when it comes to understanding Mucormycosis. Recovery from Covid takes a toll on the immune system and constitution of Dhatus. Weakened Agni, Deranged doshas (especially aggravated Kapha), along with damaged dhatus fail to flush out the excessively formed saam, dosha, and mala (toxins) out of the body. This accumulated mala, in turn, causes the formation of Kleda (wetness or moisture) in Rakta and other dhatus. Lack of hygiene adds to the misery.
Kleda provides a suitable environment for the formation and growth of Raktaj Krimi, which finds its place to proliferate and flourish in other kleda dominant areas like nasal mucosa, sinus cavities, and access to the orbit and brain. If left unattended for a long duration, these krimi gnaws the bony structure of the affected area and causes destructive changes in the jaw and the sinus floor.
Black Fungus Prevention Through Ayurveda
- Preventing the formation and drying out the excessive kleda in the primary stage is the key to avoid the encounter with these krimis.
- Essential efforts should be taken to regenerate the weakened dhatus and kindle the Agni. Well-functioning Agni digests the saam dosha and kleda. It eliminates the mala and strengthens the immunity and bodily dhatus, just as the bright Sundries off the excess moisture from the mushy puddle and also wipes out the maggots dwelling in it.
- Freshly cooked, easily digestible food when consumed in the right proportion with respect to hunger takes care of the Agni. So it’s essential to follow strict dietary guidelines post-Covid. Consult your Ayurvedic doctor for proper dietary guidance.
- Rasayan medicines which reduce kleda, and have an antimicrobial (Krimighna) action are administered.
- Treatments like Dhoompan (smoke inhalation), krimighna nasya, Gandush (medicated oil pulling), fumigation of the home, workplace, and maintaining oral hygiene form an essential part of treating Fungal infections.
- Mucormycosis patients are already diagnosed with a compromised immune system which makes it difficult to treat the fungus. In such cases, I ask patients, to begin with, the Prophylactic Ayurvedic medicines to normalize the immune system to fight the fungus. This will help the patients to stay safe while Ayurvedic doctors are working on curing the fungus of its core.
- Besides the medication, I also prefer patients to have healthy and nutrition-filled meals and include some exercises like Yoga in their daily routine for the body to be active and respond to the medicines well.
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Consult an Ayurvedic Doctor
How to Protect Oneself from Mucormycosis?
In case you have been through COVID-19 and/or have an existing disorder, you can follow the mentioned treatments to keep yourself protected from Black Fungus to affect your immune system.
- Maintain good oral and body hygiene.
- Follow Ayurvedic daily practices and medicines to improve the immune system.
- Gargle with Triphala and Turmeric water daily.
- Exercise/yoga daily
- Limit the use of Steroids.
- Practice Ayurvedic Dhoompan and Nasya
Black Fungus can be treated with the right treatment and medicines; if started in the early phase. I suggest people approach Ayurvedic doctors at the earliest if they sense any hiccups in their well-being. Prevention is always wiser; if infection supersedes, early diagnosis helps to give a better cure. I always tell people to follow home remedies to stay strong to strengthen one’s immune system at home.
Please note: If you have severe symptoms of Black Fungus please consult your Ayurvedic doctor before it gets worsened.
Stay Safe! Stay Home!