I read about the lice and if you check my thread you'll see that I dealt with it last year. It's not uncommon but people seem to think it is.
There are quite a few things to do and, NO, you don't have to cut off someones hair! I've found that a combination of the cures works. They recommend not to use the strongest poisons as this creates poison resistant lice so I've been focusing on the oil based solutions.
In the 'States my brother, who lives in abject poverty (and no, not kidding) uses lice shampoo. They disappear over a period of time and yes, it's a bother.
I used an oil based solution on my kids hair (and my wife and oldest daughter (who acted just like your wife)). It usually takes more than one treatment. You have to make sure to do the nit combing with the fine tooth comb and that's what takes time. There are usually pretty good instructions on the box so just do what they say. Important is that you use enough solution to absolutely coat all the hair completely.
It's not a failure for kids to get lice and pass it on. There's just such a stigma. It's not dirty, it just happens...sort of like getting a tick. Lice like people but with good treatment it's really not hard to take care of. It's a big bother but it DOES go away if you follow the instructions completely. My wife's a pharmacist and she says that recurring cases are usually do to not completely following the full instructions and getting the hair completely covered. People are also pretty lax with keeping up the combing after the first treatment. It's work, but it needs done.
