What is the difference between local and systemic effects and give two examples of each?

Local effects happen in a part of the body, but not the entire body. For example, use of low amounts of estrogen cream or steroid ointment on the skin has an effect just in that area. In contrast, systemic effects happen throughout the body. If that estrogen or steroid were taken internally, such as with a pill, the medication would cause changes throughout the person's body.