[Topical use of salicylic acid esters in pharmacotherapy--pharmacologic principles].

The local application of 2-hydroxyethyl salicylic acid esters and ether salicylic acid esters offers the possibility of therapy with salicylic acid that avoids a systemic burden of the body. This justifies the unavoidable uptake of ethylene glycol. Under therapeutic conditions and following guidelines for the recommended amount and frequency of application, the amount of ethylene glycol taken into the organism appears to be without risk for the user.