In the first quarter of the 20th century, tinea capitis represented the most important dermatomycological diagnosis in Europe. For its significant social impacts (affecting children, potential permanent disfiguration), developed countries introduced strict anti-epidemic measures which, together with the discovery of griseofulvin in 1960, contributed to nearly complete eradication of the disease in Central Europe. Since 1980s, however, the incidence of tinea capitis has increased to become a serious medical problem both in America and in some parts of Europe. In the Czech Republic, as well as in the neighbouring countries, the main causative agent remains the zoophilic Microsporum canis. The main agent in the USA, the anthropophilic Trichophyton tonsurans, slowly migrates to the British Isles and Western Europe. Moreover, Trichophyton rubrum is a newly emerging pathogen. Because of different biological behaviour of the individual pathogens, both therapeutic approaches and preventive hygiene measures vary.