If these varicose veins are left untreated, they can have complications. Most commonly the complications are swelling of the legs, skin changes that will involve the skin becomes dark and thicken, and ultimately these will be breakdown become ulcers. There are also other complications such as phlebitis, bleeding and deep vein thrombosis. Phlebitis mean that veins inside develop blood clots. Patient will come in complaining of redness of the skin, painful and it is very tender when you touch it. A lot of times, these are misdiagnosed as infection of the skin call cellulitis, and antibiotics are given which is not the right treatment.
Apart from that, if the blood clots become very extensive and that will cause deep vein thrombosis, which is a dangerous condition. If the blood clot is broken off and travels to the lung and it can be a fatal complication.
Lastly, it can bleed. A lot of patients they present with bleeding as an emergency. It is best to have varicose vein treated at the early stage in order to prevent all these complication from happening.