We report a case of tinea corporis purpurea localized to a calf in a 36-yea
r-old woman. The patient, who was also affected by mild superficial venous
insufficiency of lower limbs, complained of intense pruritus. Microsporum c
anis was the aetiological agent. Clinically atypical varieties of tinea cor
poris were sometimes reported in the literature, particularly in HIV-positi
ve patients although they are uncommon in immunocompetent patients in parti
cular, tinea corporis purpurea is very rare.