Current challenges for healthcare systems worldwide should not overshadow global prevalence of contagious superficial fungal infections. Causative agents, patterns of their spread and clinical manifestations of cutaneous mycoses all change and so does our knowledge of fungal biology and genetics. Sooner or later, dermatologists would have to adapt or develop newer diagnostic and therapeutic modalities according to novelties im dermatophyte taxonomy and major epidemiologic shifts. Common management of tinea infections in most developed countries including Russia still relies on the same hundred years old mycological techniques and the same antifungals as decades ago. Emergence of resistant dermatophyte strains and reported series of recalcitrant tinea infections in some regions of the world raise awareness in Europe today and may be expected in Russia tomorrow. Learning from recent international experience and clinical trials, one may need reappraisal of different topical antifungals recommended in Russia.