Quite simply put, varicose veins aren’t pleasant. They can be uncomfortably painful and also cause unsightly lumps and bumps in your legs. Most people assume that varicose veins are little more than a cosmetic ailment, however they often have other serious symptoms. Usually people don’t associate these with varicose veins, but there are important signals to watch out for, so it’s always important to keep an eye on swollen ankles and feet, muscle cramps, and dry skin.