REMEDIES FOR PERINEAL TEARS

For relief of discomfort caused by the episiotomy or tears, use ice packs, warm-water cleansing, apply an astringent, such as Witch Hazel on gauze pads or a commercial preparation such as Tucks Pads or Tucks Clear Gel. A topical anesthetic (Americaine, Dermaplast) may be used to relieve discomfort.

Comfrey leaf infusion is used to build new cells rapidly and helps alleviate pain. As a drink, drink a cup of tea daily. A sitz bath with Comfrey leaf infusion soothes and heals, keeps the tissues flexible and keeps itching to a minimum. Comfrey's anti-inflammatory properties reduce swelling and allow bones to reunite effectively. Apply a tepid moist poultice around the entire injured area as soon as possible, and allow it to stay in place as long as possible. Repeat several times a day. The prickly quality of Comfrey leaves can be an irritant to inflamed and swollen tissue so keep the plant materials encased in the poultice cloth. If the fractured body part can be immersed in a warm infusion prepared in a bucket, this can be effective as well. Comfrey is especially indicated for a broken tailbone or a separated symphysis pubis.

Some midwives use Tea Tree oil on the suture wound. A few days after a woman has had an episiotomy or has torn, she is given a syringe with the needle still attached, filled with Tea Tree oil. She is then shown how to use a mirror to see her wound and to drop a few drops of this wonderfully cool oil directly on it. If she is not comfortable doing this, the postpartum midwife will apply the oil. Putting the oil in the syringe with needle allows accurate application. Tea tree oil works well for this purpose.

Other herbal sitz baths that help prevent infection, aid healing, and offer pain relief are Yarrow, Rosemary, Goldenseal, Oak bark, Witch Hazel, Sea Grape bark, Myrrh, many more. If you have sutures from an episiotomy, limit your sitz baths to once a day

Aloe vera gel is a wonderful remedy for healing wounds. You can obtain bottled aloe vera if it doesn't have any preservatives that may irritate sensitive skin. However, it is best to use the gel from the fresh plant leaf to make a poultice to heal and cool a torn perineum. This is done by removing the green skin from several leaves, placing the clear gel on a gauze pad or menstrual pad. Hold it in place or tape it in place. Apply it directly upon the tear or incision. Aloe is a wonderful pain killer when used in this way (I used it when I had my wisdom teeth removed and the pain killers would not work... I put the gel directly into the tooth sockets and relief came almost immediately). Replace the poultice with a fresh one when the pain returns.

Slippery Elm bark in a paste made from the powdered bark, water and olive oil or vitamin E can be used after the tear is well closed, or after the third day on a sutured wound. Frequent applications are most effective. Take special care with cleanliness, as the oil attracts dirt, lochia, etc. and could promote infection. If using vitamin E, use only a pure oil as synthetics and vitamin E preparations often contain flavoring oils and substances that are not intended for use on sensitive skin areas.

Hemorrhoid discomfort can be treated by warm sitz baths (10 to 20 minutes, twice a day in water 4 inches deep in the tub), non-prescription topical hemorrhoid medications and oral medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen (little of each of these drugs is excreted in breast milk)