Quick fix: One-minute substitutes

Natural home remedies: Bug bites, hives and itching

From pesky mosquitoes to poison ivy, spending time in the great outdoors can wreak havoc on your skin. But before you spend a fortune at the pharmacy, try one of these natural home remedies for bug bites, hives and itching

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Excerpted from Homemade, Reader's Digest

Quick fix: One-minute substitutes

Baking soda paste for itches
Here is an incredibly easy itch reliever that costs just pennies. In a small bowl, mix 1/4 teaspoon baking soda (or meat tenderizer) with a little ice water to make a paste. Then spread the paste over the bite area. Repeat as necessary.

Using essential oil to soothe rashes
Lavender and tea tree essential oils have soothing properties that can alleviate as well as heal rashes. Try this simple solution before buying expensive ointments. Put 1 drop of lavender or tea tree essential oil directly on the rash, gently smoothing it over the surface. To treat a large area, apply a blend made by mixing 3 drops of either essential oil in 2 teaspoons light olive oil.