Since its discovery 100 years ago, the encapsulated yeast Cryptococcus neoformans has been implicated in systemic infections of many immunocompromised patients and has been a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in AIDS patients. Clinical symptoms are often initially subtle or lacking. Cutaneous involvement often carries a dismal prognosis as it is usually a sign of dissemination. However, lesions may develop before any systemic or constitutional symptomatology, and despite their non specific appearance, are easily accessible for scrapings, biopsies and cultures. A high index of suspicion is of utmost importance in high risk individuals to avoid delaying the diagnosis and treatment.