(Feature Impact) Rosacea is a chronic skin condition, mainly affecting the face, that causes redness, swelling, pain and changes in appearance. It is estimated that more than 16 million people in the United States have rosacea, according to the National Rosacea Society (NRS), but only about 1 million are under active treatment.

Physical impacts include prominent redness, acne-like bumps and pimples, highly visible enlarged blood vessels, pronounced dryness and unpleasant sensations like stinging, burning, itching and tingling. As many as half of sufferers also experience eye symptoms. Rosacea also affects emotional and social well-being. From lower confidence and self-esteem to avoidance of public contact and social engagements and missed work, the impacts are far-reaching. However, rosacea can be treated and managed.

Learn more about the condition with this information from the NRS and the experts at Crescel, who are transforming rosacea care by harnessing nature and science to heal skin with their Skin Renewal Cream. It holds the NRS’s Seal of Acceptance, and its therapeutic benefits and tolerance have been confirmed in multiple clinical studies.

“Sensitive and easily irritated skin is a common issue for people with rosacea, and harsh products can aggravate the condition,” said Andrew Huff, executive director of the NRS. “That’s why the NRS expertly evaluates skin care and cosmetic products to ensure they are gentle, clinically tested and found to be unlikely to irritate sensitive rosacea skin.”

What causes rosacea?

The exact cause of rosacea is not fully understood. However, research suggests facial redness is often the first step in a chain of skin inflammation. This process may begin when the nerves, blood vessels and immune system don’t work together as they should.

Researchers have also found a microscopic skin mite called Demodex may play a role. These tiny arachnids normally live within hair follicles and oil glands on everyone’s skin, but people with rosacea tend to have higher numbers on the face, which may contribute to irritation and inflammation.

Some studies have found links between rosacea and other health conditions, such as heart disease, digestive disorders, neurological or autoimmune conditions and certain cancers. These findings suggest rosacea may be related to inflammation throughout the body.

What are the most common symptoms?

The most common symptoms of rosacea include:

• Easy or severe blushing or flushing
• Persistent redness
• Bumps and pimples on the skin without blackheads
• Burning or itching sensation
• Swelling

Symptoms are different for each person and can change over time. There may be times when symptoms are worse and instances when they become milder.

What triggers a flare up?

Rosacea patients can improve their chances of maintaining remission by identifying and avoiding lifestyle and environmental factors that trigger flare-ups or aggravate the condition.

Common triggers include sun exposure, stress, extreme temperatures, heavy exercise, alcohol consumption, spicy foods and some skin, hair and makeup products.

What causes a flare-up in one person may have no effect on another, making this a highly individualized process. Knowing what triggers your flare-ups can help reduce discomfort, improve treatment results and prevent the condition from getting worse.

How do you treat rosacea?

Because the signs and symptoms of rosacea vary from one patient to another, treatment is tailored by a physician for each individual case. It typically involves three key elements:

• Skin care: Committing to a gentle routine using mild, non-irritating products.
• Lifestyle management: Identifying and reducing exposure to triggers.
• Medication and other therapies: Combining topical and oral treatments along with laser therapy to target various symptoms.

As the world’s first intelligent therapeutic, Crescel’s Skin Renewal Cream harnesses nature and science to heal skin. The cream contains:

• Pioneering microemulsion technology that enables continuous delivery of critical cellular nutrients that are essential for skin healing.
• A unique absorption system, whichallows healing nutrients to easily enter the cell.
• Mitochondria reboot technologythat restores the mitochondria’s ability to repair dysfunctional skin cells while reinforcing the skin’s natural barrier, reducing the risk of future irritation and flare-ups.

Talk with your dermatologist about your treatment routine and visit crescel.com to learn more about rosacea care.

SOURCE:
Crescel

Advertisement

I’ve always loved trains.

Not just as transportation, but as an idea: the rhythm of the rails, the slow reveal of landscapes you’d never notice from 35,000 feet, the sense that the journey itself actually matters. That’s why every time I read about Amtrak’s Sunset Limited, especially its long sweep across the Southwest, I can’t help but think the same thing:

I wish I could take the train from Phoenix to Los Angeles—and then ride the Pacific Surfliner.

The Arizona Reality: Close, But Not Quite

Here’s the catch that every Arizona rail fan knows too well: Phoenix doesn’t have direct Amtrak service.

Why I Want to Take the Train from Phoenix to Los Angeles – STM Daily News Podcast

I love trains—and living in Phoenix makes that love complicated. In under a minute, I explain why riding Amtrak’s Sunset Limited to Los Angeles and connecting to the Pacific Surfliner feels like the rail trip the Southwest is still missing. https://stmdailynews.com

The Sunset Limited does cross southern Arizona, stopping in places like Yuma, Tucson, Benson, and Maricopa. Maricopa is technically the closest Amtrak station serving the Phoenix metro area—but it’s about 30 miles south of downtown, meaning a car ride or bus connection is still required.

It’s a small detail, but it matters. Phoenix is the fifth-largest city in the United States, yet if I want to ride Amtrak west to Los Angeles, I first have to leave the city by road just to board the train.

Still, even with that inconvenience, the idea is hard to shake.

Boarding the Sunset Limited

The Sunset Limited is one of Amtrak’s most historic long-distance routes, running from Los Angeles to New Orleans. In Arizona, it cuts through desert landscapes that feel timeless—wide skies, distant mountains, and towns that grew up alongside the railroad itself.

This isn’t high-speed rail. It’s not flashy. It’s slow, deliberate travel, the kind that lets you sit back, watch the desert roll by, and remember that the Southwest was built on rail long before interstates and budget airlines.

From Maricopa or Tucson, the train heads west toward California, crossing into the Imperial Valley before arriving in Los Angeles.

The Real Dream: Connecting to the Surfliner

Advertisement

For me, Los Angeles isn’t the end of the line—it’s the gateway.

Once in LA, I’d love to step off the Sunset Limited and transfer to the Pacific Surfliner, one of the most scenic passenger rail routes in the country. From there, the journey hugs the coastline through Santa Barbara, Ventura, Orange County, and San Diego, offering ocean views that feel almost unreal from a train window.

That connection—from Arizona desert to California coastline—feels like the perfect expression of what passenger rail does best. You don’t just arrive somewhere. You experience the transition.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just about nostalgia or being a train enthusiast.

It’s about options.

Rail travel offers something planes and highways don’t: accessibility, comfort, and a sense of continuity between communities. The fact that Phoenix still lacks direct passenger rail service feels like a missed opportunity—not just for travelers like me, but for the region as a whole.

Every time stories circulate about the Sunset Limited or long-distance Amtrak routes, they remind me that the bones of a better rail network already exist. What’s missing is the will to connect major cities like Phoenix directly into that system.

Someday Soon?

I still hope that one day, taking the train from Phoenix to Los Angeles won’t require a workaround. Until then, the Sunset Limited remains both a real option—and a symbol of what could be.

Because if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s this:

Advertisement

If I ever get the chance to roll out of Arizona by rail, connect in LA, and ride the Surfliner along the Pacific, I’ll be on that train—camera ready, coffee in hand, watching the country unfold exactly the way it’s meant to be seen.

Coming Soon: Travel Stories from STM Daily News

Travel is more than getting from one place to another—it’s about how we experience the journey. In the weeks ahead, STM Daily News will be sharing new travel stories that explore rail routes, regional history, overlooked connections, and the human side of movement across the Southwest and beyond.

From passenger rail reflections and historic routes to modern transit challenges and scenic journeys worth slowing down for, our upcoming coverage looks at travel as culture, infrastructure, and lived experience.

Coming Soon: Travel Stories from STM Daily News

Travel is more than getting from one place to another—it’s about how we experience the journey. In the weeks ahead, STM Daily News will be sharing new travel stories that explore rail routes, regional history, overlooked connections, and the human side of movement across the Southwest and beyond.

From passenger rail reflections and historic routes to modern transit challenges and scenic journeys worth slowing down for, our upcoming coverage looks at travel as culture, infrastructure, and lived experience.

Follow along at STM Travels as we continue to explore the roads—and rails—that shape how we move.

Last Updated on February 5, 2026 by Daily News Staff

(Family Features) “Our concerns about Alex’s growth began around the age of 7,” said his mother, Diane Benke.

Though Alex measured around the 50th percentile for weight, his height consistently hovered around the 20th percentile. Benke’s instincts told her something wasn’t quite right.

“I kept asking our pediatrician if this could mean something more,” she said. “Each time, I was reassured that everything was fine. After all, I’m only 5 feet tall myself.”

At first, Benke tried setting her worries aside. Alex was one of the youngest in his class, and she wondered if he could simply be a “late bloomer.”

However, as Alex progressed through elementary school, particularly in the 4th and 6th grades, his height percentile dropped into the single digits. The height difference between Alex and his peers became impossible to ignore.

Despite Benke’s growing concerns, their pediatrician continued to assure them Alex was fine.

“We were told as long as he was making some progress on the growth chart, there was no need to worry,” she said, “but we were never actually shown the charts.”

It wasn’t until one of Benke’s friends confided that her own daughter had recently been diagnosed with Pediatric Growth Hormone Deficiency (PGHD) that she decided to seek an endocrinologist.

“Although it took several months to get an appointment,” Benke said, “we were determined to get more answers.”

Navigating the Diagnosis Process
Getting a diagnosis for many medical conditions can be a long journey. However, early detection and diagnosis of PGHD is important. It can help minimize the impact on overall health and support optimal growth.

Advertisement

Once Alex was seen by a pediatric endocrinologist, he underwent a series of evaluations, including bloodwork, a bone age X-ray to compare his chronological age with his skeletal age and a growth hormone stimulation test, which measures the body’s ability to produce growth hormone. He also had a brain MRI to rule out the potential of any pituitary abnormalities.

The results of these tests confirmed the diagnosis of PGHD, a rare condition that occurs when the pituitary gland does not produce enough growth hormone. PGHD affects an estimated 1 in 4,000-10,000 children.

Some common signs parents might notice include: their child being significantly shorter than other kids their age, slower growth rate over time, delayed puberty, reduced muscle strength or lower energy levels, slower bone development and delayed physical milestones.

“Receiving Alex’s diagnosis was a relief,” Benke said. “It provided clarity and a path forward.”

Moving Forward with Treatment
“While the diagnosis process was exhausting, starting treatment made the process worthwhile,” Benke said.

For decades, daily injections of a drug called somatropin, which is similar to the growth hormone your body produces, have been the standard of care for PGHD. It wasn’t until 2015 that the Growth Hormone Research Society recognized the need for a long-acting growth hormone (LAGH), offering once-weekly dosing as an alternative to daily injections.

Benke explained navigating the insurance approval process was another challenge.

“Our insurance required us to try a daily medication before approving a weekly option,” she said.

Alex spent three months on daily medication, often missing doses, before he was approved to switch to a weekly treatment option.

“The weekly option made such a positive impact,” Benke said. “We now have minimal disruptions to our daily routine and Alex hasn’t missed a single dose since.”
 
Beyond a more convenient dosing option, the change gave Benke peace of mind.

Advertisement

“We could focus more on being a family again, without the daily worries of his next dose,” she said.

If you’re concerned about your child’s growth, talk to their doctor as soon as possible. Early diagnosis is important, as treatment becomes less effective once a child’s bones stop growing.

Benke’s advice to other parents: “Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, seek out a specialist and push for answers and don’t give up, even when faced with hurdles… Stay hopeful and persistent – it’s a journey worth fighting for.”

Visit GHDinKids.com to download a doctor discussion guide to help prepare for your next appointment.

SOURCE:
Skytrofa