Tinea auricularis is a rare superficial fungal infection, which is easily ignored in clinic due to its atypical clinical symptoms or being accompanied with tinea capitis. In this study, a case of annular erythema with scales around the ear canal orifice was reported. After fungal culture and identification, the patient was diagnosed with Trichophyton rubrum infection, and was cured after 3 weeks of topical use of clotrimazole cream.