Dear Cheesedog - Cold sores are herpes! As much as the public would like to condemn genital herpes, cold sores are caused by the same virus, identical under a microscope, the difference being the preffered latency site. HSVI (in the trigeminal nerve of your face) and HSVII in the dorsal root ganglion near your pelvic region.
THe catch is that HSVI is starting to show up more and more in the genital region. HSVII seldom shows up in its sister site. Nonetheless, the two are herpes. What does that mean for you? Could you spread HSVI to yourself, in your genitals, if you "picked" at your cold sore and immediately wiped your genitals? Well, technically yes - but why would any one do that??
I would recommend that you see a Dr. and get a blood test for HSVI and HSVII. but DON'T PANIC! If it is positive, you have probably been through the worst, and it will be up to you to manage it so that it is nothing more than a pain in the butt.
there are plenty of things that can cause a rash, and the chances of it being herpes is VERY unlikely if you had no form of sexual contact.
I know, I have herpes. Take a deep breath, go to the doctor and get a firm diagnosis. It will be all right.