Just to let you know last year last June I had shingles. Its june again and I got the shingles again in the same place they started burning over and over the rash had not come right away but I went ahead and went to the doc they gave me valtrex. I'm on it now.
Yes, I think there's a good chance neither outbreak was shingles. It may be herpes simplex (the cold sore type) rather than herpes zoster (shingles.) I suggest a viral culture next time this happens, but before acyclovir is prescribed. If it is a cold sore, you can consider suppressing it with regular use of acyclovir if you get frequent recurrences. Discuss this with your doctor or a consultant.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff