Push for islanders to protect ears in the sun

Julie Chammings, hearing aid audiologist, said it was important for people to protect their ears from the sun

Islanders are being reminded to protect their ears in the sun by a local hearing expert, after seeing regular sun damage on her clients.

Julie Chammings, hearing aid audiologist at Specsavers, said she sees "at least two or three [cases of sun damage on people's ears] a month".

To prevent sunburn, the NHS recommends using sunscreen with a high SPF (30 or higher) and applying it generously to all exposed skin, including the ears, before going outside.

Ms Chammings said: "It's an area that even when you're putting it [sun cream] on yourself, quite often you forget the tops of your ears."

Ms Chammings said ears tend to "stick out a bit" so are more susceptible to sunburn.

She also recommended wearing a hat to shield ears in the sun.

Signs of sun damaged ears include "peely skin, redness, soreness on the top part of your ear and anything that keeps coming back or is persistent", she said.

As part of her job, Ms Chammings explained she refers people to get their ears checked by their doctor regularly.

"Quite a lot of our clients have little chunks missing where they literally have to cut [sun damage] out."

This story is part of BBC Guernsey's Sun Safety Campaign.