After some mutual back and forth on schedules, I finally was about to see a well-reviewed provider.  (I'm a relative newbie and more of a once-in-a-while-in-between-girlfriends guy.)  In anticipation of her lauded DFK skills, I decided to shave the shortly cropped beard I've been wearing for the last six months.  Nothing like a make-out session with a freshly shaved face.  

A couple hours before the meetup, I shaved, felt great, but then noticed that I had a small canker sore in the corner of my mouth.  Never had a fever blister or cold sore, so I know it wasn't that, just a tiny red spot.  Probably invisible to anyone else, but I knew it was there and it gave me pause both for *my* safety and the provider's.

I wasn't planning on doing any DATY as I'm very cautious and like to play it as safe as possible.  But as I was really into the idea of making out with a very cute girl, I began to think this might be an issue to be concerned about.  I finally texted her and cancelled the session, regretting it every step of the way.  She was totally cool and seemed into the idea of meeting at another time, even though I didn't disclose the reason I was bailing (which began to seem silly).

So... as my subject line reads: overly cautious?  or did I do the right thing?

I always prefer a gentleman cancel if he's not entirely comfortable -- even if it seems like it's for something silly.

I've had plenty of gentlemen cancel/reschedule for health reasons (true or perceived), and I've also done so myself. I think it's the respectful thing to do, particularly when it might be contagious -- or even just *look* contagious. When someone cancels a date because of a health concern, that earns them nothing but brownie points in my eyes. I appreciate that they're looking out for my health too, and I want them to feel their best when we meet. They'll need the energy.

Now, if you get "sick" three times in a row, that's a problem! But once? Not a big deal. The more notice the better, though.

Clearly you did the right thing, wouldn't you appreciate not getting the herp from someone because they also did the right thing? Good kharma.

Thanks for the reassurance and for the provider's view everyone.  Can't rule out that I cut myself shaving, seems more like a tiny canker sore.  Mostly I was concerned about having some kind of open cut rather than being worried that it was HSV-1, both for my own safety and the provider's as well as her peace of mind.

For anyone with *any* curiosity about these things: i.e., things which might look like cold sores, but aren't...

The crack in the corner of my mouth turned out to be something called angular cheilitis, a usually very benign, but annoying condition on the level of a canker sore.  You can get them from chapped or wind-blown lips (though they can also be a sign of malnutrition or stress.)  Usually go away on their own in a few days, though I guess some people get them chronically.

There you go... learning something new on TER you didn't know before.  It's not all sexy, but it's useful.

Still glad I opted out, for now.