Healing an infected tear - any suggestions?

[figginz]

At my 8 week check the GP prescribed antibiotics - my 2nd degree tear was infected. The first course didn't clear it, still had (tmi sorry...) brownish discharge but much, much less. Am now halfway through a second course and it's still not really cleared up.

Obviously will go back to the GP if it doesn't clear up but I was wondering if anyone has any self help tips to speed up recovery post infection? Would really, really rather avoid a third course of antibiotics. Apart from anything else, the resulting diarrhea in the baby is horrific!

Hi figginz you really need antibiotics if it is infected but also you could have salt baths as salt aids healing.

Thanks ladybird. Will try a salt bath. Not going to refuse the anti-b, just trying to think of other things to help speed up healing...

Try putting lavender oil and tea tree oil in a glass of milk, tip into a warm shallow bath and sit in it. Feels lovely

How much oil? Large glass of milk?
Thanks!

Agree with lavender and tea tree advice in bath. Few drops of each in a small amount of milk eg 50ml. The milk helps the essential oils disperse in the bath water. I had an episiotomy with 2 of my babies then a 2nd degree and vaginal tear with baby number 3. My midwife suggested tea tree and lavender after my first delivery. I was sceptical but I am convinced it helped healing. I bathed every night and some days twice daily. Also used a hairdryer on cool setting to dry myself afterwards.

I put a couple of drops of lavender oil in a sports bottle of warm water and used it as a sort of rinse after going to the loo.

I was advised by midwife who treated my infection to wash every time you go to the loo - I used the shower hose. Don't use towels to dry, too many germs, air dry or kitchen roll. Use the thickest cottony maternity pads you can find, none with plastic backing. All my stitches came away and got infected, and I healed in a matter of weeks doing the above and with one course of abx. I was advised to drink probiotics to help avoid thrush in me and the baby. Hope that helps!

I'm assuming they've swabbed to make sure the abx are the right ones to target the infection?

Hi all. Some good tips, thanks. Yes they did swab, apparently the pills are fine - though that makes me wonder why it's not clearing faster. Ho hum. Oh well, off to crack open the lavender and tea tree...

Make sure they check things are healing properly - ask for a specialist consultant to check if you are not sure.