A case of granuloma annulare mimicking tinea cruris

Granuloma annulare (GA) is a benign, self-limited skin disease of unknown etiology characterized by annular, flesh-colored to erythematous grouped papules or plaques. Lesions of GA are typically located on the lateral or dorsal surfaces of the hands and feet, arms, thighs, and trunk. We present the case of a patient with GA who presented with erythematous, annular plaques localized to the bilateral inguinal folds, mimicking tinea cruris. On clinical examination, the lesions were thought to be tinea cruris. A subsequent punch biopsy revealed the lesions to be granuloma annulare. This case highlights an unusual location where GA can first present in a patient. It also suggests that GA should be considered among the differential diagnoses along with tinea cruris, when evaluating localized annular lesions of the groin.