How long does it take for a skin tear to heal?

Women's health is very important, but women may suffer certain harm to their bodies due to abortion, contraceptives, childbirth, etc. For example, childbirth is a very important moment for women. Women may suffer perineal lacerations during childbirth. This process is very painful. Many people are more concerned about how long it will take for a perineal skin tear to recover. How long will it take for a perineal skin tear to recover? Let’s take a look at it next.

1. What is perineal tear?

Perineal tear refers to severe trauma to the soft tissue between the anus and external genitalia, which causes local swelling and thinning of the perineum to form a visible crack, and in severe cases it may even tear to the anus.

Perineum: There are narrow and broad meanings. In a narrow sense, the perineum refers only to the soft tissue between the anus and the external genitalia. The perineum in a broad sense refers to all the soft tissues below the pelvic diaphragm that close the lower opening of the pelvis.

2. Causes of perineal laceration

1. Delivery: The delivery of the fetal head is the most important step in the delivery process. When the fetal head is about to be delivered through the vagina, the vaginal opening and surrounding tissues are compressed due to the continued descent of the fetal head. Local swelling, thinning and even shining can be seen. At this time, if you do not pay attention to protecting the perineum, not only the perineum may be torn, but it may even be torn all the way to the anus.

2. Dry stool: Due to excessive heat or hot weather, the stool is prone to dryness, which can also lead to perineal tearing.

3. Sexual life: Because of inflammation, the vagina is prone to dryness and loss of elasticity, and the perineum is easily injured or even torn during intercourse.

3. Classification of perineal lacerations

I degree perineal laceration: refers to laceration of the skin and mucous membranes of the perineum, including rupture of the labia and vestibule mucosa.

Second-degree perineal laceration: The perineal skin, mucosa, and muscles are lacerated, but the anal sphincter is intact.

Grade III perineal laceration: complete laceration of the perineal skin, mucosa, perineal body, and anal sphincter, often accompanied by laceration of the rectal wall.

4. How long does it take to recover from perineal tear?

First degree tear

Apart from some minor discomfort, it is unlikely to cause any other problems and usually heals within a few days. After all, it is just a small wound on the skin, but it is located in a relatively sensitive area and will be touched when sitting (it will be more comfortable if you sit on a pillow in the first few days). First-degree tears need to be sutured after delivery so that the muscle tissue can heal and recover.

Second degree tear

It will cause a lot of pain and may take a week or more to recover, depending on the length and depth of the wound. Your midwife will routinely check your stitches. If you are in pain, she will also give you paracetamol or a similar mild pain reliever to help. You may have days when sitting is painful and you may need a pillow or cushion to help you. A fairly deep tear, called a third-degree tear, can pass through the skin and muscle tissue into the rectum.

Third degree tear

Unlike first- and second-degree lacerations, they are often caused by an oversized fetus, rapid delivery, or stretching of the episiotomy. If a third-degree tear is not closed quickly and skillfully, it can cause further complications because fecal matter can flow from the intestine into the wound and vagina, causing infection and incontinence.

A third-degree tear is likely to cause pain for 2 weeks or longer due to deep damage to muscle tissue. You'll need analgesics to relieve pain and special inflatable cushions (like a rubber ring for children) to make you comfortable while sitting.

How much pain and how long it takes for the tearing and stitching to hurt can vary widely between women. If the tear is causing you pain, let your midwife know rather than trying to hold it in. Because pain can indicate infection or whether the stitches are tight enough, you need to be aware of your pain at all times. It's worth remembering that even if the tear heals within a week, you will experience a long period of discomfort due to internal swelling and bruising caused by childbirth.