Although usually simple, the diagnosis of dermatophyte infection is sometimes 
neglected. Variations in clinical presentation (tinea atypica), mimicking other 
skin diseases depend on many factors, partially due to the dermatophyte's 
characteristics, and a combination of patient's pathological but often 
physiological conditions, such as excessive washing or sun exposure. The 
physician's misdiagnosis and eventual prescription of steroids or other 
incongruous treatments further induce pathomorphosis (tinea incognito), 
longstanding disease and delayed recovery. This review describes the morphology 
of some atypical dermatophyte infections, in an attempt to compare and correlate 
changes to the normal features of the disease by site of involvement. The risk 
factors and predisposing conditions are also analysed to provide a reasoned 
interpretation of morphology and therefore evoke the diagnostic suspect in 
atypical cases. Periodical training is the clue to improve dermatologist 
expertise in what is the first-sight ability to make a diagnosis, perform the 
correct assessments and consequent therapy in daily practice.