Levi's Story - Intertrigo, fungal infections and adorable rolls

When Levi first developed a slight redness in his neck, I didn’t think much of it. Babies have sensitive skin, and a little irritation seemed normal. But then, almost overnight, it felt like that redness had spread to every skin fold on his little body. It wasn’t just red anymore—it was raw and painful. I could see my baby was uncomfortable, and I felt helpless.

 Intertrigo turned fungal infection.

I reached out to friends for advice. Some had dealt with similar issues, others had backgrounds in dealing with fungal infections. I got a lot of suggestions, but none of them provided a complete solution. Even after scouring the internet, the best advice I could find was to keep the areas dry and wait it out. “They’ll grow out of it,” they said. Super helpful, not.

Determined to find a way to help Levi, I started trying everything. I used a harsh anti-fungal cream that only seemed to sting him more, leaving me feeling awful. I even resorted to pouring cornflour everywhere, and I mean everywhere. Nothing seemed to work.

It was then that I decided to take matters into my own hands. With the advice and research I’d gathered, I began experimenting with ingredients that were known for their antifungal and soothing properties. I combined tea tree oil and coconut oil, both known for their antifungal effects. I added zinc for its astringency and ability to create a dry environment—crucial for preventing fungal growth. And I included tallow, which is similar to our skin and helps to protect it.

The result was a cream that finally worked. Levi is now 6 months old and still needs it because he’s still a rolly baby. But whenever a little red area appears in the skin folds, I can apply the cream right away, and we’ve been able to prevent any fungal infections from taking hold. No more painful, raw skin—just a happy, comfortable baby.

 Controlled intertrigo using Rolly Balm.

I hope this reaches the mums that were like me at the start, scouring the internet for solutions. If you have any questions about intertrigo or the cream, please don't hesitate to post a comment below or email botanic.balance@outlook.com.au directly. And if you want to learn more about intertrigo and the protocol I now undertake, check out this blog.

From one relieved mum,

Rachel