Nine cases of tinea genitalis observed in Siena and Terni (Italy) between 1988 and 2003 are reported because of their infrequency. The patients were males ranging in age from 23 to 45 years. The lesions, situated on the penis, glans and scrotum, were preceded by dermatophytosis in other sites (groin five cases; feet two cases; toenails two cases; hands in one; beard in another). Mycological examination consisting of direct microscopy and culture led to isolation of Trichophyton rubrum in five cases, Epidermophyton floccosum in two and T. mentagrophytes var. interdigitalis in the others. Clinical diagnosis is not always easy. In three cases the lesions had been misdiagnosed as eczema.