Infinite varieties of plants-both medicinal and aromatic are seen on the Indian continent. Siddha system of medicine is effectively making use of them. Sage Yugi have classified skin diseases into 18 kuttas. Pundareega kuttam is one among them. It can be correlated to dermatophytosis in modern science. Siddhars, scientists of a sort have found a remedy to the newly emerging mysterious diseases during their lifetime in the remote past. A thorough literature survey brings them to the limelight. Medicinal plants with antimicrobial activity are found widely in Siddha literature. Many effective compound formulations are also available to treat dermatophytosis. This article focuses on the herbs having in-vitro antidermatophytic activity and medicinal plants in Siddha literature for treating dermatophytosis. This preliminary literature search will help to understand the potential for further research in this area.

INTRODUCTION: Fungal skin infections can be classified into superficial mycosis and deep mycosis. In superficial mycosis, the infection is restricted to stratum corneum while deeper layers are infected in deep mycosis. Mainly immune compromised patients are victims of deep mycosis. Dermatophytosis also called as tinea or ringworm is an infection caused by a group of keratinophilic fungi called dermatophytes. The three major genera causing tinea are Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton 1, 2. Dermatophytes colonize the skin, nails, and hair of the human population. It affects the keratinous tissues of humans and other vertebrates and thus causes superficial infections 3.