a cold sore (herpes simplex) is not very likely to spread to your own genital area (auto-innoculation). just wash your hands after you touch your cold sore (or try not to touch it at all) and you will be just fine.
can cold sores spread to my genitals by wiping after using the bathroom? . i get cold sores. i try to be super careful when i have them as i know they are contagious. i wash my hands constantly. i refrain from kissing of any kind. but i fear coming in contact with my own genitals. what about wiping myself after the bathroom? what if i have an itch down there that i scratch? how long can the hsv-1 virus live on my hand if i touch my cold sore?