10 days prior, he had started treatment with supplemental oxygen, intravenous antibiotics, and corticosteroids because of moderately severe pneumonia, caused by SARS–CoV-2 (coronavirus). Doctors established the man from India had diabetes – when blood sugar is too high. On examination, his blood sugar concentration was 298mg/dL; very much above the normal 140mg/dL or below.

“It can also occur on the skin after a cut, burn, or other type of skin injury.”

The medical team at an Indian hospital suspected Rhizopus arrhizus – a type of fungi that can cause mucormycosis.

Symptoms of Mucormycosis

Cutaneous (skin) mucormycosis can resemble blisters or ulcers, and the infected area may turn black – just like that man’s did.

Other indications of mucormycosis include: pain, warmth, excessive redness, or swelling around a wound.

Signs of rhinocerebral (sinus and brain) mucormycosis can include “black lesions on nasal bridge, or upper inside of the mouth”.

It may be present with one-sided facial swelling, headache, nasal or sinus congestion, and fever.

The CDC established that the condition is more common for people who have diabetes, especially those with diabetic ketoacidosis.

What’s diabetes ketoacidosis?

The NHS said: “Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious problem that can happen in people with diabetes if their body starts to run out of insulin.”

When this occurs, harmful substances called ketones build up in the body, which can be life-threatening.

Diabetic ketoacidosis can affect a person who has either type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Symptoms to be aware of include:

  • Needing to pee more than usual
  • Feeling very thirsty
  • Being sick
  • Tummy pain
  • Breath that smells fruity (like pear drop sweets, or nail varnish)
  • Deep or fast breathing
  • Feeling very tired or sleepy
  • Confusion
  • Passing out.

Ketones can be checked using a home testing kit; this is recommended if you have a blood sugar level of 11mmol/L or above.

If you do a blood ketone test:

  • Lower than 0.6mmol/L is a normal reading
  • 0.6 to 1.5mmol/L means you’re at a slightly increased risk of DKA and you should test again in two hours
  • 1.6 to 2.9mmol/L means you’re at an increased risk of DKA and should contact your diabetes team or GP as soon as possible
  • 3mmol/L or above means you have a very high risk of DKA and should get medical help immediately.

Source: | This article originally belongs to Express.co.uk