What would be in the water of my spring fed pond that would make my eyes swell and my husbands arm itch?

Today we decided to clear out some cattails and other plants growning in our spring fed pond. We had waders on and I wore gloves. My husband was reaching near the bottom to pull the cattails out by the roots. I was using a rake to pull the floating plants out. When I was out of the pond moving the pile of unwanteds in order to dump them I felt my eyes starting to swell. After finishing my husbands arm itched severly for hours. We both took benedryl and felt better. It's the next day and my eyes are still swollen.