Salt baths are really good. Bit of a grrrr that they didn't tell you that about your stitches Sal! Are you going pad free for a little bit to let it dry out down there? I got pad rash Probably from being a bit damp most of the time or a sensitivity to the pads after wearing them so much (I reccon I know what bubs feel when they get nappy rash!).
I'd wear the oldest knickers I had (or get some cheap ones) so I didn't care if they go a bit of blood on them and risk dripping a bit.

I think that as part of the healing process there is kind of a hump in that it gets a bit worse before it gets better too.