Clematis Allergy ?
rosymdesign
Posts: 2
Last year I planted a Clematis Armandii and it has grown huge with masses of flowers on. It looks stunning over an arch way and along 2 walls with so many flowers its hard to see the green leaves. My problem is I think I may be allergic to it. Its position is right next to our back door and several downstairs windows. The fragrance is quite strong as well. Since the flowers have been out and more since the scent is stronger my face is a mess with itchy skin, sore eyes and general itchy skin all over. Its the only new thing in the garden in flower and I have to go through it every time I go into the garden and the scent comes in when the door or windows are open.
I have searched to see if its common to have an allergic reaction to this but cannot find much info about it. Do any of you have this same problem with this particular plant ? I am tempted to just cut it all down as the discomfort is getting much worse but it would be a shame. Has anyone else had this problem ? Last chance before I don mask and gloves and remove it.....sadly as its magnificent.
Thanks
Posts
I am sorry to read that you think you may have an allergy to your Clematis plant, particularly as it is doing so well.. You said it has many flowers with a heavy scent, might it be the pollen causing the problem?
Maybe cut it back from near your window and back door and see if it improves. Perhaps it might be better to ask someone else if they are not sensative to it too.
Have you tried a Hay fever preparation? I nearly bought a Clematis last week... But didn't as I mostly grow veg. Good luck with this problem.. I have an allergy to Hibiscus and its in just about every fruit tea!!! Oil seed Rape pollens too, so I know how you must be feeling.. I hope you find some relief soon.
Last edited: 01 April 2017 11:59:02
For 3 years during the late summer and fall months I suffered from extremely swollen eyes and a rash on my face. It literally felt like I had acid poured on my face. I saw multiple doctors. One thought I had Lupus. A Dermatologist diagnosed me with Ocular Rosacea and told me I would live the rest of my life that way. An Ophthalmologist disagreed with the Dermatologist and was convinced it was an allergy. Turns out it was – to Clematis.
Clematis Terniflora was covering my front porch.
One day when my mother came over, my daughter and I picked her a bouquet that contained a lot of it. Within minutes I had a very severe reaction. My mother wondered if it was from the flowers and we did some research on what we had picked. Clematis looked to be the most likely culprit, so I had someone come and remove all of it from my property. It worked. I was cured.
It grows EVERYWHERE here in NW Arkansas, so I have to be careful. I am so allergic to it that even coming in contact with the pollen will cause a severe reaction. But at least I know what to avoid.
Thanks Melody6 for replying.
We did completely remove this one and it made a big difference. I also removed another but left one which has tiny flowers and seems okay. I am steadily replacing hi pollen plants with roses and lavender so fingers crossed those will be okay.