Also, is a blister on the hand that remains unpopped for 2 days and gets smaller and looking likes it going away common for herpetic whitlow? Or does this sound like a regular blister, or maybe dyshydrotic eczema? 

I think acquiring HSV from nail dipping with a cuticle trim seems unlikely.  I also get dipping done for my nails, and the powder is very dry - not a good environment for herpes at all. 

Herpes whitlow usually is more dramatic than a blister that appears and gets smaller in two days.  It's really difficult to say what that might be but herpes seems unlikely to me.  I would expect something a bit more dramatic than what you describe.  I've seen lots of whitlow in my career and none of it has been as mild as what you are experiencing.

Terri

Can friction cause blisters on the hand, I wash my hands a lot at work and they can get itchy if I forget to moisturize.

Logically, I think it's not herpetic whitlow, but I just want reassurance, I hope you understand that I'm not trying to dismiss what you say.

I doubt that hand washing would cause such a blister.  As often as nurses wash their hands, we don't see that causing blisters.  

I would say that if you are really concerned that this could be whitlow, you should be seen, the blister broken if appropriate, and a PCR swab done for HSV.  This is the only way you are really going to know for certain if this is whitlow or not, though it doesn't like it to me at the moment

Terri