Natural Health: How can I heal my torn perineum?

Plus: natural remedies for eczema

Pic: iStock

I had my torn perineum stitched after giving birth three months ago. The area still feels tender, and sex is painful. Is there a herbal remedy I could use to speed it up?

Perineal tissue is delicate and any scarring can cause significant discomfort or irritation. Oils such as rosehip, sea buckthorn, or cacay can be applied to the perineum to help repair and minimise scar tissue formation.

Essential fatty acids (omega-3 fatty acids) are vital to maintaining healthy tissues and joints. The best dietary sources are nuts, seeds, fatty fruits, such as avocado, and oily fish (sardines, salmon, herring, and mackerel). You can also consume EFAs in supplement format.

Collagen is another important dietary supplement for tissue repair. You can get this through bone broths or a powdered collagen drink. Vitamin C is crucial for collagen production, so ensure you get at least 1,500-3,000mg of this nutrient daily.

If scarring is causing pain and tenderness, you might want to consider supplementing with serrapeptase. The enzyme is produced in the digestive tracks of silkworms, Serratia marcescens, enabling the tough cocoon to be broken down easily. Serrapeptase helps break down scar tissue without affecting healthy tissue and reduces inflammation.

Serrapeptase is safe to take while breastfeeding and is used to treat breast engorgement. It should not be taken by people who are on blood-thinning medications.

My three-year-old has developed patches of eczema behind his ears and knees. Could you suggest a natural remedy?

It’s important to consult a health professional who can explore the root cause of your child’s eczema.

Switching to pure and simple household products — including hair care products, soaps, dish detergent, laundry products, and cleaning supplies — can help ease the irritation.

A natural soothing lotion, balm, salve, or ointment should help calm flare-ups and ease discomfort or itching while nourishing the skin.

Look for ingredients such as calendula, hypericum, chickweed, plantain, chamomile, rose, and lavender. These all have a long history of helping to heal and soothe skin conditions, while preventing infection caused by scratching the itchy skin.

Eczema often responds well to internal treatment. A good place to start is with the gut, rebalancing the intestinal flora using a good-quality probiotic.

Choose a product specifically formulated for toddlers and children and free from artificial sweeteners and colourings, such as BioCare.

Testing for sensitivities, intolerances, and allergies can be useful if you feel that particular foods or food groups are causing eczema flare-ups.

Homeopathy can help address the root cause of skin conditions such as eczema. A homeopath will prescribe based on a full consultation rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

To find a qualified homeopath, visit the Irish Society of Homeopaths at irishhomeopathy.ie.

Acupuncture or acupressure is another natural modality that can provide surprisingly rapid relief. It is important that you find a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner trained to treat children and babies.

• If you have a question for Megan Sheppard, please email it to [e-mail] 
• NOTE: The information contained in this column is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a doctor.